 A
virus -- actually, about two hundred different viruses --
causes the common cold. Contrary to popular belief, we seldom
catch a cold from airborne particles expelled when someone
with a cold coughs or sneezes or if we drink or eat something
that they drank or ate from. However, we easily pick up cold-causing
viruses through hand-to-hand contact with someone who has
a cold or from objects (doorknobs, computer mouse, telephone)
that have been contaminated with a cold virus.
This
shows you the importance of proper hand washing!
Most
colds clear themselves up in about a week to ten days, but
sometimes it can lead to pneumonia if you don't take care
of yourself when you are sick or if your immune system isn't
working well.
What
A Virus Does - In Simple Terms
 Viruses
act by infecting your body's healthy cells and using those
cells' reproductive machinery to make more viruses -- (your
DNA & RNA). At some point, the cells burst and die -- letting
all the new little viruses loose to infect even more of your
cells. (Now, impress your biology teacher with that information).
The destruction of cells lining the throat and respiratory
tract causes the sore throat, cough, and runny nose characteristic
of a cold. Fever, aches, and fatigue actually result from
the body's immune response to the virus and not actually from
the "cold" at all.
Treatment
To
feel better: REST, sip hot liquids -- such as chicken soup,
or herbal tea, drink lots of water, and eat healthy foods.
Call your health care provider if your fever gets over 101°
F or if you start coughing up "gunk" that looks
funky and is yellow or green.
 Remember
to wash your hands often & have family members do the same
so you don't spread it to them! This can prevent them from
catching your cold.
Is it a Cold
or the Flu?
Are Ear
Infections a Problem? They are often a childhood problem.
View the
video for more...
The
Flu, You and your family this year.
Understanding
the 'Flu'.
|
