by Alexis Cala, PICurrent Assistant Producer
Courtesy of miss_rogue
Chilly weather and high stress levels seem to have everyone sniffling and sneezing. Generally, these runny noses are fighting a common enemy.
The cold.
Every year, over 1 billion people in the U.S. suffer from colds (rhinoviruses) and spend $3 billion on over-the-counter cold drugs. Colds are caused by a viral infection inside your nose, and are a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. With over 100 different types of cold viruses, it’s no wonder why it is so hard to find a cure, let alone an effective treatment.
But, one study may have helped move us one step closer to finding a successful cold-fighting drug.
Using genetic information from the common cold, researchers were able to identify genomes that are constantly changing and others that stay the same. They found that the unchanging areas perform important roles and cannot change without dying. In other words, change the virus-kill the cold.
While some feel a cure would be a waste of time for such a minor illness, others disagree.
Rhinoviruses are nasty, but they are also responsible for about half the cases of asthma in the U.S. People at high risk from colds, like children or adults with asthma and other diseases, would benefit greatly from new medications (read the full story on The New York Times).
When 25 percent of people with the cold never even show any symptoms, how can you protect yourself?
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases offer these suggestions for avoiding and treating the cold:
- Wash your hands! Cold germs can easily enter through your eyes and nose, keep your hands away from those areas of your body
- If possible, avoid being close to people who have colds; and do the same for others
- If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth, and sneeze or cough into your elbow rather than your hand.
If you catch a cold, you can still get relief from your symptoms:
- Listen to Mom: Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids!
- Gargle with warm salt water for a scratchy or sore throat
- Flush your nose with warm water; use petroleum jelly for a raw nose
- A warm bath or heating pad can soothe aches and pains
- Steam from a hot shower, humidifier, or tea kettle may help you breathe a little easier.
- Take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce headache or fever (talk to your doctor)
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