Make Colds Less Common

Winter, in the Southern Hemisphere, is on the door-step and Sydney has had a cold and damp Autumn to date, so here are a few tips on avoiding or managing the "common cold" - common because lots of people get them, particularly in Winter when we live indoors and closer together.

Colds spread by touching hands or solid objects that are contaminated by one of more than 200 viruses, or by breathing in droplets from sneezes or coughs. A cold is an infection of the repiratory tract and usually gets better on its own in 5-7 days. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, sore throat and blocked or runny nose: the cough is often the last symptom to resolve and may take 2 weeks or longer. Antibiotics do not help colds as they don't work on viruses and the best treatments are rest, staying warm and drinking lots of fluids.

If you got a gold, good manners for keeping germs to yourself are:
* cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
* use tissues, rather than hankerchiefs, to blow your nose and dispose of the tissue appropriately after use
* wash your hands with soap regularly, especially after blowing your nose or before preparing / eating food
* avoid sharing cups, glasses, cutlery
* keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth (the hand transfers the contaminant).

Often the common cold is mistaken for flu (influenza). Flu however has a very sudden onset with a high fever and symptoms include body aches, shivering, sweating and throat and lung irritation. General vaccines are available to help ward off the flu and now is the time to get a shot, particularly if you are elderly, have chronic illnesses or closely with the public (health workers, teachers, bus drivers etc).

Resource: Frank Bazik, Royal North Shore Hospital, story in Mosman Daily 1/5/08