A Seasonal Concern

In Canada, people are most likely to catch colds during fall and winter. Cold season starts in early September, and finishes in March or April. This does not mean you won't fall prey to a cold in the spring or summer. Cold viruses are around all year, but affect people mostly in the colder months. The increased incidence of colds during the fall and winter may be attributed to the fact that more people stay indoors and close to each other. This gives the viruses that cause winter ills plenty of opportunity to spread. Since humidity is also lower during fall and winter, the nasal passages become dried out, making them move vulnerable to infection. Although colds can result from more than 200 different viruses, rhinoviruses and coronaviruses cause the majority of cases.

How a Cold Progresses

The symptoms of a cold usually starts two to three days after the virus enters the body. Symptoms last from several days to two weeks. (If a cold last longer than this, it has usually given rise to a secondary infection such as bronchitis or laryngitis.)

Symptoms of the common cold include:

• a stuffy and/or runny nose
• a sore, rough or tickly throat
• sneezing or coughing
• sore, watery eyes
• low grade fever
• aches and chills
• headache
• tiredness or fatigue

Preventing Colds

Currently, there is no sure way to prevent the common cold. The best way to reduce the risk of catching a cold is to wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who have colds. When in the company of someone who has a cold, avoid shaking hands, and do not touch your nose, mouth or eyes, because your hands may have been contaminated with the virus.

If you have a cold, the best way to prevent others from catching it is to cough, sneeze or blow your nose into facial tissues, and dispose of these immediately. Then, wash your hands. Since the rhinovirus has been shown to survive for up to three hours outside of the nasal mucosa, it is a good idea to wipe down all hard surfaces that you have recently touched with a disinfectant that kills viruses. You may also want to carry a sanitizing hand cleaner to use when you cannot wash your hands. Be sure to teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently if suffering from a cold, and always after blowing the nose.

You stand less of a risk of catching a cold if your immune system is strong. You can boost your resistance to viruses by eating lots of colourful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat protein, exercising regularly and making sure you get enough sleep.

Finally, invest in a humidifier. Humidifiers help prevent cracks from forming in the mucous membranes of the nose, due to dry winter air. Cracked tissues make it easy for cold and flu germs to enter the body. You can find a variety of humidifiers at London Drugs.

Treating Colds

What works: Researchers have not yet discovered an effective treatment for curing a cold. There are, however, a number of effective treatments for symptomatic relief. These include over-the-counter cold medications such as decongestants and cough syrups; antihistamines to help dry up nasal secretions; pain relievers for headache or fever, and that old staple, chicken soup, which many feel helps soothe cold symptoms.

If you have a cold, you should make sure you increase your intake of fluids to prevent dehydration and assist the healing process.

What doesn't work: Many people continue to think that a prescription for antibiotics is an effective cure for a cold. This myth is perpetuated by those who swear antibiotics cured their cold "instantly". Colds are caused by viruses, making treatment with antibiotics ineffective. Antibiotics are only effective when given to treat bacterial infections. Since many people mistake bacterial infections for colds (and since many colds can give rise to secondary bacterial infections), it is easy to see how this misunderstanding developed.

Never give ASA (Aspirin) to a child who has a fever. When given as treatment for viral illnesses in children (including colds, flu and chicken pox), ASA has been associated with Reye's syndrome. This potentially serious, sometimes deadly disorder affects all the organs, but particularly the liver and brain.

The London Drugs Pharmacist says: While most people can take a cough or cold medication without worry, people with certain health conditions should consult their doctor before using these medications. If you have serious liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease/shortness of breath, persistent/chronic cough, glaucoma or difficulty urinating due to enlargement of the prostate gland, or are elderly, pregnant, breast-feeding, taking a drug for depression, or have alcoholism, you should talk to your doctor to determine what medications are appropriate for you.

Also check with a doctor if your symptoms do not improve within five days or if your cough worsens or lasts more than a week. Taking more than the recommended dose of products containing acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage. In case of accidental overdose contact a doctor or Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are not symptoms. Keep these products locked safely away from children.

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