This time of year, people are more likely to reach for tissues and throat lozenges. It's the season for the common cold.

According to information from the American Lung Association, people in the United States suffer from 1 billion colds every year. Children have about six to eight colds a year while adults average about two to four colds a year. Women ages 20 to 30 are more likely to catch colds than men, possibly because of closer contact with children.

The common cold is caused by a variety of viruses. Because cold viruses are always changing, it's hard to pin them down to develop a cure, said Dr. Heidi Bee, physician with the Hermitage Family Medicine Center.

Avoiding catching a cold can be tricky this time of year, with everyone coughing and sneezing in close quarters. But a few things can be done to stave off the virus.

Both Dr. Bee and Dr. Tejaskumar Naik, infectious disease specialist with UPMC Horizon, recommend thorough hand-washing during the cold and flu season. Cold germs, which are transmitted through respiratory droplets, can lurk anywhere from doorknobs to telephones.

Naik also said to avoid crowded areas during the cold and flu season and to stay home if you do get sick.

In a hospital setting, nurses and health-care providers are encouraged to wear masks if they have colds, said Patricia Clark, infection control specialist at UPMC Horizon.

As for the myth that going out in chilly weather inadequately dressed will bring on a cold, both doctors said there is no connection between being cold and catching a cold.

A cold typically strikes between a few days to a week after exposure to the virus. A typical cold usually lasts between seven and 10 days.

"The symptoms will peak around day three or four and then go back down," Naik said.

Cold symptoms are very similar to those of the flu. In fact, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between the common cold and the flu.

"The difference between the common cold and influenza, the flu, is not always very clear," Naik said.

Runny nose, fever, sore throat and congestion are symptoms with both illnesses, but the onset of headache, fever and body aches is much more abrupt with the flu than with a cold.

Fevers associated with the common cold usually don't rise above 102 degrees, while many flu sufferers experience temperatures of 103 or more. Dr. Bee said that body aches are not as severe with a cold as they are with the flu.

"Other than doing the nasal swab, it's tough to diagnose," Dr. Bee said. "It typically takes a nasal swab to be 100 percent sure."

Dr. Bee does not recommend patients come to the doctor's office with a common cold unless the symptoms are very severe or last more than a week.

Since there is no cure for the common cold, doctors can only treat its symptoms.

Naik and Dr. Bee both recommend over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines for congestion and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for body aches. Dr. Bee also suggested steam inhalation for cough relief, saltwater gargles for sore throat, lots of rest and plenty of fluids.

Some studies have shown that Vitamin C can help prevent a cold and that zinc lozenges can decrease the length of a cold by 48 hours. Dr. Bee suggested taking zinc lozenges at the onset of cold symptoms.

"Usually taking zinc lozenges or supplements will decrease the duration up to two days," Dr. Bee said. "I tell my patients to get started on that as soon as they get symptoms."

She also recommended increasing Vitamin C intake to 500 milligrams during the winter, but said Vitamin C is a preventive measure and will not help relieve a cold once it strikes.

While the common cold can be a nuisance, it rarely causes complications, unlike the flu, which can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis, especially in the elderly or people with chronic illnesses.