It’s cold season again. And whether you’re at home, school or the office, germs are all around you.
According to Dr. Marianne Green of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, three potent fuels ignite cold season each fall:
– Cold viruses thrive on the low level of humidity that is common this time of year.
– People tend to stay indoors more often to avoid the colder weather.
– Cold viruses are transmitted either through direct contact with nasal secretions or through the air.
These three factors lead to increased contact among people–and the viruses they may carry.
Because common colds are so contagious, the average adult in the U.S. experiences two to four colds per year, said Kenneth Thompson, associate professor of the Department of Pathology at the University of Chicago.
“Preventing colds is very difficult,” he said.
But don’t be too discouraged. There are a few steps you can take to reduce your chances of catching a cold.
Green said the most effective strategy is simply to stay away from people with colds. If that isn’t possible, she recommended washing your hands frequently and not touching your eyes or nose. You should wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds, Green said. If you don’t have regular access to a sink with soap and water, hand sanitizers at your desk can help.
And stop getting stressed about people sneezing and coughing next to you, she said. Stress increases your chances of catching a cold.
“A study done in healthy volunteers who are all exposed to rhinovirus, one of the viruses that causes the common cold, showed that those volunteers who admitted to higher stress levels were more susceptible to coming down with symptoms than those who were less stressed,” Green said.
Rest, eating right, and exercise also are important because they strengthen the immune system and can help prevent colds, Green said.
“Rest, a good diet and regular exercise promote a strong immune system and decrease stress. Anything that promotes a strong immune system can help ward off colds,” she said.
If you tried everything and still got a cold, the best way to get rid of it as quickly as possible is to drink a lot of fluids, which keep mucus thinner and allow it to be expelled easier, Green said.
Also, over-the-counter medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, and Tylenol will help, she said. Thompson recommended anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.
If you’re not getting any better after a week, Thompson and Green agreed, you should consider seeing a physician.
“You should also visit a doctor if you are experiencing persistent or high fevers greater than 101 [degrees] or if you are short of breath or have an asthma-like condition that seems to be getting worse,” Green said. “Localized ear pain or significant pain in the face that does not get better with a decongestant should also be checked out.”
Unfortunately, there’s no sure-fire way to prevent the common cold. And because there are too many cold-causing viruses, a cure is unlikely, the experts said.
“There are probably more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold,” Thompson said, “so developing a vaccine would be very difficult.”
GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE
Don’t let all this talk about being sick get you down. Having a cold does not necessarily mean spending all day in bed.
You can actually go on with your life, doctors say. Just be careful. Consider staying home for the first few days of a cold, especially if you are suffering from fever or muscle aches. You also are most contagious during this time period and may spread it to family members and friends. But after that, when you get on your feet is up to you.
If you are a health nut who can’t go a day without exercise, head for the treadmill or bicycle machine–as long as your only remaining symptoms are above the neck, such as a stuffy nose, sneezing or sore throat. Strenuous exercise should be avoided if you are suffering from a cough.
If you refuse to let a cold dampen your social life, go ahead and drink alcohol as long as you are not taking any medication. But be warned: Alcohol can dilate your blood vessels, making your congestion worse. [C.P.]
WAS MOM RIGHT ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP?
At one time or another, nearly every person felled by the common cold has followed mom’s advice on how to get rid of it. But do experts think these home remedies are old wives’ tales or good medicine? Here’s what Dr. Marianne Green of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Kenneth Thompson of the University of Chicago had to say:
Zinc
Although zinc may provide some mild benefit in treating cold symptoms, side effects like bad taste and nausea are significant.
Vitamin C
Yes, it’s good for you. But when it comes to fighting colds, it doesn’t do much. If you want to avoid catching a cold all together, vitamin C is useless.
Herbal remedies
The major concern with herbal remedies is that they have not been studied enough and are not regulated, making it impossible to know what you are getting. Echinacea, which some believe can prevent colds, might be harmful to patients suffering from immune system problems.
Drinking fluids
This actually works. Fluids help keep mucus membranes moist, which is beneficial because membranes stay less irritated and are less likely to harbor cold viruses. Also, fluids keep the mucus your body creates thinner, allowing it to be more easily expelled.
Rest
Sleep helps build up your immune system.
Chicken soup
It’s helpful only because it keeps you hydrated. It does not possess “cold-curing” powers. Sorry, mom. [C.P.]
