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Sniffing out the truth
Just like an infection, there are a lot of popular myths about colds and cough being passed on from person to person. Are these myths totally false? Learn about the cold truths once and for all.
Myth: Being cold, being caught in the rain or lingering in wet clothes can lead to colds. Fact: If there is one myth that has to be put to rest, it’s this one. Listen up: you CANNOT get colds from the rain or from wet clothes. The common cold is a viral infection, one that you can get from close contact with infected people.* One reason why there are more cases of colds during the rainy months is people tend to stay together indoors, increasing the chance of spreading the virus. A runny nose experienced after a change in temperature (like going indoors after getting rained on) may be due to some forms of rhinitis and is NOT equivalent to colds.
A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team *Want to know more about colds? Read the July 2008 issue of A Slice of Orange.
Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes Orange de Guzman, MD
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Myth: Vitamin C, zinc or echinacea can cure or prevent colds.
Myth: If you have phlegm, you should cough it out to get well faster. Fact: Expectorating or coughing up mucus or phlegm was recommended in the past, but this (rather unhygienic) habit is quite unnecessary. In fact, swallowing your own mucus is not harmful; your body can naturally clear it. There is no need to force yourself to cough or blow your nose unless you feel the urge. Blowing your nose actually increases the risk that people around you will get infected. Cough medicines won’t speed up your recovery either, so if you can bear with the symptoms, you don’t have to spend extra money on these remedies. Drinking plenty of fluids is usually the best way to recover from viral respiratory infections, including coughs that are related to colds.
Fact: Studies are inconclusive about these purported cold treatments. The simple truth is there is no magic cure for colds. The best way to get over a cold is to drink lots of fluids, rest well, eat sensibly (don’t force-feed or starve yourself) and do whatever that makes you feel better. You can take over-the-counter medications to combat the symptoms of colds, such as congestion or headaches. Just don’t expect these meds to hasten recovery. Myth: Lozenges can cure sore throats. Fact: Although some lozenges can help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat, simply keeping the throat moist with frequent sips of liquid can ease throat pain, too. Some medicated lozenges can help numb the throat and relieve pain but they do not offer quick recovery.
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Myth: If you develop a fever, it’s best to sweat it out by wrapping yourself in a blanket. Fact: Many mothers will force you to wear thick pajamas and wrap you in a heavy blanket at the first sign of a fever. The truth is being too warm can raise your temperature instead of providing relief. To deal with a fever, dress as comfortably as you want and take paracetamol as directed. Staying hydrated is important. There is no harm in placing a wet washcloth (no need to add anything to the water) over your head or neck to help you rest better.
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Lifting the kissing ban
Myth: Even if they won’t cure colds, taking antibiotics “just in case” won’t harm anyone. Fact: Colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics (which kill bacteria, not viruses) won’t treat colds. Check. However, if you want to take antibiotics anyway, think again. The unnecessary or improper use of antibiotics has led to the alarming global problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These resistant strains do not respond to the usual antibiotics anymore, which means they need to be treated with newer and more expensive drugs. Antibiotic resistance is also linked to more complicated infections, which lead to severe illness. Do your share in containing a serious health burden: Stop taking antibiotics when you don’t have to.
Myth: Chicken soup can cure colds. Fact: As previously mentioned, nothing can cure a cold. However, chicken soup CAN make you feel better, and there are studies that back this up. How does it help? It soothes the nasal passages, helps keep you hydrated, and some scientists believe that the soup has some anti-inflammatory effects, which might help a colds sufferer feel a bit better. As for chicken soup for the soul, that’s another story.
Cold viruses enter through the eyes and nose so try not to touch these parts if you’re avoiding infection.
Think you have to refrain from kissing when you have colds? You might not have to abstain after all. The cold virus is easily passed on to others through shaking hands, sneezing, nose blowing or touching the same items. However, strangely enough, kissing does not spread the virus as efficiently as you might have thought.
A slice of trivia What I word (sometimes shortened to an F word) is a viral respiratory infection that resembles colds but is more severe and comes on more suddenly? This disease can be deadly for babies and elderly people. Hint: This disease has an avian version. Freshen up on your researching skills, e-mail us the answer at orange@activelink-consult.com and win a prize! From those with the correct answer, 20 people will be randomly chosen to win a bottle of Kamillosan® M Spray Solution. We’ll include the answer in the next issue of A Slice of Orange.
Answer to last issue’s question: Voice is the sound made by the vocal cords, but what onesyllable S word refers to the production and perception of sounds used in spoken language or the expression of thoughts in spoken words?
Speech is the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words. It is produced by coordinated muscle actions in the head, neck, chest and abdomen. Language, on the other hand, is a set of conventional signs, not necessarily vocal. As such, any set of signs or symbols that convey meaning, including written words, may be a language.
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2008 ActiveLink
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The Orange wants to he ar from you! Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel free to contac t us. You can e-m ail our team at orange@activ elink-consult.c om.