It's pretty safe to say that every Canadian has had a cold at one time or another. Unpleasant (although not serious), colds lead to a great many lost days at work or school. As common and ordinary as it is, science is still unable to eradicate the cold - even in this era of rapid technological advances and pharmacological innovations.

Here is some information to help you get through those times when you have a cold.

Note:-It is always best to use disposable facial tissue rather than cloth handkerchiefs which can spread cold viruses around.

Contrary to popular belief, a cold has nothing to do with becoming chilled. Although colds are associated with winter; it's not because more people get chilled. Rather; it's because we're more often inside, with more people, making it easier for the infection to spread. There are 200 different viruses which can cause a cold. Such a large number makes it impossible to develop a totally effective vaccine.

if you have a cold, it means that one of the viruses has gotten into your respiratory tract by hitching a ride on your hands or in droplets of water suspended in the air you breathed. This virus may have been deposited on something by an infected person and then carried to a point of entry into your respiratory tract by your hands. It is also possible to be infected by someone who has projected the virus into the surrounding air when breathing out or speaking or while coughing or sneezing.

People with allergies, people who are tired and going through a stressful period or women in the middle of their menstrual cycle are more likely to catch colds. Diet, general health, the taking of vitamin C or the presence of enlarged tonsils or adenoids do not appear to have any effect on the probability of catching a cold.

Anyone who has ever had the flu knows that it is much more incapacitating than a cold. Flu is characterized by a feeling of discomfort and general fatigue accompanied by aches and pains and a spiking fever. A number of symptoms commonly associated with colds complete the picture.

All colds are not alike. As colds can be caused by any one of more than 200 viruses, it is easy to understand why every cold is different. The following is a list of symptoms which can appear to a greater or lesser degree.

Sore throat - Sneezing - Runny nose or postnasal drip - Low-grade fever - Nasal congestion - Headaches - Fatigue - Cough

If you are generally healthy, it is not necessary to see a doctor for a cold. However, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids to flush out the virus and avoid complications.

You should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms indicative of a complication or:

1.    if the symptoms continue to worsen after more than seven days;

2.    if you have a chronic illness (asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, etc.) and your condition deteriorates;

3.    if your immune system is compromised by HIV, chemotherapy or the taking of immunosuppressant    drugs;

4.    for infants and the elderly, do not hesitate to see a doctor.

The doctor usually prescribes antibiotics only for certain complications, as they are effective against bacteria, but not viruses.

Just because colds are common-place doesn't mean you shouldn't look after them. You should stay warm, drink a lot of water and be careful not to give your cold to those around you. To avoid doing so, you should wash your hands regularly (for at least 15 seconds, with soap and water) and take precautions not to contaminate everything around you (handkerchiefs or tissues, glosses, pencils and other objects that come into contact with secretions). If those around you also wash their hands after being in contact with you, it's even better! To avoid spreading their cold via airborne viruses, some people even go so far as to wear a surgical mask.

The use of salt water gargles or nose drops (1/2 teaspoonful of salt in 250 ml of boiled water) relieves the symptoms. The inhaling of steam, the drinking of eight large glasses of water a day and the eating of hot soup liquifies the secretions and helps the body get rid of them.

There are a number of over-the-counter drugs available for the relief of cold symptoms. To avoid taking ingredients you don't need, we suggest that you avoid products with multiple ingredients and buy products with a single ingredient. This enables you to treat the symptoms specific to each cold without experiencing the adverse effects associated with products designed to treat several symptoms. As a number of over-the-counter products are unsuitable for people with certain diseases or for use in combination with certain drugs, ask your pharmacist which products are best for you.

The use of Echinacea for colds has aroused a great deal of interest. While the preventive effect has been questioned, according to some data, taking Echinacea at the first sign of a cold may help you get over it faster. A minimum amount of a quality product must be taken for this purpose. It is recommended that you take one gram of dried root three times a day or a dose equivalent to a tincture at 1:1 or 1:5.

However; just because a product says it contains Echinacea does not mean it is effective. In the absence of strict regulation of labelling and quality control regarding so-called "natural" products, we recommend that you consult your pharmacist. He/she knows which products are standardized and meet recognized manufacturing norms. Although these products are more expensive, you can be sure that they actually contain what is listed on the label.

Reproduced - Courtesy Liverpool Pharmacy - 715 Liverpool Rd