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Last weekend, everyone I met seemed to be getting sick. Because of this, I was extra careful so I didn’t get sick myself. I stayed away from anyone who coughed frequently and washed my hands regularly. Plus, I had a flu shot last fall so I getting the flu was unlikely. But even with being overly cautious, I still came down with a cold just in time for the work week. My cold started with a scratchy throat. Then I began sneezing frequently, developing a runny nose and becoming fatigued. After I did some online research, I determined my symptoms matched those of the common cold rather than a more serious condition like the flu. Phew! Flu symptoms are similar to the common cold, but usually more severe, come on quicker and lasting longer. The flu also can lead to more serious health issues like pneumonia and bacterial infections, which is why flu shots are so important.1My cold was nasty – it ended up putting me out of commission for three full days. I feel much better now and although I did not enjoy spending three days sick indoors, I know my co-workers appreciated me quarantining myself in my apartment. While sick, I did have time to do a little more research on cold and flu. Did you know that cold and flu viruses can live up to 48 hours depending on the strain? They can also live on all types of surfaces, including plastic, metal or wood fabrics, skin or paper. 2 These facts reinforce just how important washing your hands and disinfecting your living space really is. I also discovered there are many myths relating to cold and flu remedies. For example, that you’ll catch a cold if you go outside with wet hair or you should feed a cold and starve a fever. My personal favorite, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is that carrying garlic wards off the flu. What “cold” experiences have you had this winter? Any remedies that depend on? Justin
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm
2 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.com/health/
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