Colds can be caused 100's of strains of viruses. A virus is a particle made up of a core of DNA or RNA enclosed by a protein coating. When a virus infects a human cell, it uses the cell's machinery to replicate itself.

Viruses are different from bacteria. Bacteria are complete cellular organisms that can reproduce themselves.

Antibiotics work against bacteria because the bacterial cells are different enough from human cells for the medicine to kill the bacteria without harming the human cells.

Designing medicines that kill viruses without harming human cells is difficult. No medicine yet exists that can cure infection from cold viruses.

Fortunately, your body's immune system mounts a specific response to whatever cold virus you have. It usually clears the infection within 7 to 14 days.

Attempts to develop a cold vaccine have been unsuccessful because there are too many strains of cold virus and immunity is not permanent.

Most people get several colds a year. Colds are common because so many different viruses cause them and because they are so contagious. You can also catch the same virus strain more than once.

You can't completely avoid catching colds, but you can reduce the chances. Most colds are spread when the virus contacts the mucus membranes of your eyes, nose, or mouth. Virus is shed via the mucus of infected people.

You get virus on your hands by touching someone who has a cold, or from telephones, door knobs and other surfaces.

So if you wash your hands with soap and water often and keep your hands away from your face, you will catch fewer colds.

If you have a cold, you can avoid giving it to others by covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and by washing your hands frequently.

The flu shot (a vaccine to protect against influenza virus) does not prevent colds. There is no vaccine specifically for colds.

Most of the time, if an illness starts out like a cold, it really is a cold. Be patient and allow your body to heal itself.

Antibiotics won't help. In fact, antibiotics can result in allergic reactions, vaginal yeast infections, upset stomach, diarrhea and other undesirable side effects.

Using antibiotics when there isn't a bacterial infection contributes to the very serious problem of antibacterial resistance.

Each symptom of the cold (sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion and stuffiness)gets worse during the first few days, and then gradually improves over 7 to 14 days.

The cough usually lasts until all the nose symptoms are gone, sometimes a few days longer.

If you get "stuck" in one phase of a cold, where a symptom keeps getting worse and worse instead of gradually improving, come to Health Services or see you health care provider.

You'll want to make sure that the cold hasn't become complicated by a bacterial infection that might require antibiotics.

Get enough sleep to feel rested. Drink plenty of fluids, especially hot ones. Gargle with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt per 4 ounces warm water) to soothe a sore throat. Breathe the steam from hot beverages and soups, or take a hot shower to help reduce nasal congestion. Avoid smoke and other irritants.

Many over-the-counter medicines can help relieve the symptoms of a cold. But they will not help you recover any faster.

If you take an over-the-counter cold medicine, be sure to read the label carefully.

Choose a combination medicine only if each ingredient is needed for your symptoms. Be careful not to take several medicines than contain similar ingredients.

Most medicines are available as generic brands for less money. If you are taking any other medications, always check first to avoid drug interactions.

Most medicines should be avoided during pregnancy. The pharmacist can help you with specific questions.

• Antihistamines: (Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetane, Actifed) help dry up a runny nose and relieve sneezing. Avoid them during the congested phase of your cold because they can make mucus thicker and more difficult to drain. This could make sinus symptoms worse.
• Decongestants (Sudafed, Afrinol) (pills or sprays) can help relieve sinus pressure and stuffy nose and ears. They also make it easier to breathe through your nose at night so you can sleep.

Decongestant nose sprays should only be used for a few days, unless you are instructed otherwise by your health care provider.

Pain relievers (analgesics) are helpful for sore throat, headache and fever. They include acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan are especially helpful if a cough is keeping you awake at night.

Cough Suppressant for dry cough: Benyklin DM, Delsym. Cough syrup with Expectorant for coughs with phlegm: Robitussin, Triaminic Expectorant, Novahistine DMX

Nasal strips may help open congested nasal passages. They contain no drugs, so they are safe to try to see if you get relief.

A temperature over 101 degrees F for more than 48 hours, a cough associated with pain in the chest, shortness of breath (which is different from a stuffy nose), persistent sore throat, especially without the runny or stuffy nose typical of a cold, an extremely red throat no improvement within 7 days, severe headache with a fever, worsening pain in one or both ears, any chronic medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes, which may complicate a cold.

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract - the nose and throat. There are over 200 varieties of viruses that can cause a cold.

Most colds last longer than you like, often up to two weeks. Even after the symtoms pass, it is common to feel weak and blah for a few more days. It takes time for your body to completely eliminate the virus.

The secreations of colds contain viruses that are highly contagious to others. Ways to prevent spreading colds are to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, discard tissues and wash hands frequently.

Currently there is no cure for a colds. Antibiotics don't kill viruses. Cold medications just help you feel better.

Check out symptoms that may suggest an upper respiratory infection.

Fever: Higher than 101 degrees F, shaking, chills, fever longer than 2 days

Nose: Thick, green drainage and painful sinuses

Sore throat: Severely painful, no improvement after 4 days, swollen & tender glands

Cough: Longer than 1 week, green or brown mucous, chest pain or wheezing

Ears: Painful, deminished hearing, drainage

Rest even though it seems impossible. You do not need to stay in bed to get proper rest - just listen to your body and take it easy.

Drink extra fluids to replace the lost fluids from fever and heavier breathing. Fluids also moisten the dry tissues in your nose and throat and they help thin and loosen secreations. Increasing fluid intake is the best way to soothe a sore throat, decrease nasal congestion, and relieve a hacking cough.

You can get the extra fluids you need by drinking a glass of 'healthy' liquid every hour - water, juice, soups, etc. Fruits and veggies also provide Vitamin C. Taking a hot shower will give you another form of water - steam!

Avoid alcohol at this time. Beer and wine are not good fluid replacers because they are diuretics and so increase fluid loss by increasing urine output. They also interfere with many medications.

Stop smoking while you have a cold. Smoking further dries and irritates your tissues making it more difficult to remove secretions, ( A good time to quit).

Gargle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 4 oz. of very warm water at least 4 times daily. This "grandma's" traditional treatment helps clear the throat of secretions. This sounds yucky, but really helps!

Medications (OTC / over the counter) will help to reduce the symptoms.

• ANTIHISTAMINES reduce the reaction of the lining of the nose and throat to the virus.
• DECONGESTANTS shrink blood vessels in the nose and upper respiratory passages to relieve congestion.
• ANALGESICS reduce fever, pain and body aches.

If you do not start to feel better after 5 to 7 days, come to Health Services, DSC 102 for a check-up.

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