The Cold Truth

Summer Colds

2008-05-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

SUMMER COLDS

An unexpected summer cold can be just as miserable as the more predictable winter illness. Although we usually expect colds to occur in the fall and winter, the nasty viruses that cause them are still around in the summer, and they seem ready to pounce just as we're ready for a summer vacation.

Summer colds, like their winter cousins, are caused by a large family of viruses. Common cold viruses are not only prevalent but worldwide, and summer travel puts us in contact with many of them. Colds are spread in crowded indoor areas and by contaminated surfaces such as door handles, telephones and slot machines. The viruses can live for hours on such surfaces and when we touch contaminated items we pick up the virus and transfer infection to our nose or eye tissues. Although we cannot avoid touching contaminated surfaces, and we cannot completely avoid crowded areas, we can decrease our risk of infection by washing our hands frequently. Many other viruses are also spread in the same manner and this simple precaution may also help prevent other infections.

Although summer colds occur less frequently than winter ones, there are some special factors that increase the risk of infection.

Long haul jet flights. We are squeezed in tight with several hundred potential sources of common cold infection. Experiments on exposing uninfected volunteers to others with common cold infections have shown that the chances of catching a cold are directly related to the number of hours of exposure to infection.
Air conditioning. Air conditions cool and remove moisture from the air. This causes drying of the protective mucous lining of the nose and predisposes to infection. Viruses like to grow in a cold nose.
Travel to foreign countries. We are used to our own viruses and may have developed some immunity, but travel exposes us to new viruses to which we have no immunity.
Hay fever. Common in spring and summer, allergic rhinitis disrupts the integrity of the nasal mucous membranes and, like air conditioning, predisposes to infections. Also the nose is already sensitized by the allergic response and this may result in more severe symptoms and longer duration of illness than a winter cold.

Treatment of summer colds involves measures such as decongestants, cough medications, acetominophen or anti-inflammatories for fever, and antihistamines if there is an allergic component. Rest, drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, especially water, use a humidifier in the room where you sleep, and expect to get well in 7 to 10 days. If symptoms persist longer or worsen, seek professional assistance from your health care provider.

Visit Cruise Freek Forums to plan your summer vacation!

http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/index.htm

A Cold Cure

2007-12-13T06:32:00.000-08:00

THE GENESIS PROJECT

Project Genesis, the largest cruise ship to ever make it from drawing board to production made a significant step in its journey towards the sea today (11th December) at Aker Yards ship yard in Turku, Finland.

At the milestone keel-laying ceremony, the first blocks constructing the 220,000 GRT Project Genesis were laid into the bottom of the dry dock. From here the ship will begin to take its form for the first time.

At 40% larger than any other cruise ship in the world, Project Genesis – the working title applied by cruise line Royal Caribbean International, the company behind its development – is scheduled to enter service in Autumn 2009. Project Genesis will be homeported year-round from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale in Florida.

Project Genesis is 1,180 feet long, 154 feet wide, and 240 feet high and will accommodate over 5,400 guests. The ship will take 5,800 man-years to complete and is expected to float on water for the first time in Winter 2008 as it nears the finishing stages. At a cost of US$230,000 per berth, Project Genesis is the most expensive cruise ship ever to be ordered.

Jo Rzymowska, managing director, Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland commented:

“A leisure resort development of the scale of Project Genesis is confirmation of the rate at which cruising is growing as a holiday option. Over 1.55million Brits are forecast to take a cruise in 2008, and the pace of growth is accelerating faster than anticipated by industry body the Passenger Shipping Association. With ships like Project Genesis the options at sea really are giving land-based holiday resorts a run for their money.”

Standing upright bow-to-stern, Project Genesis would dwarf the One Canada Square building at Canary Wharf and New York’s Chrysler Building. The ship is also one and a half times taller than the O2 Arena and is longer than four football pitches.

Ships already in the Royal Caribbean International fleet feature surfing wave pools, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, children’s water parks and shopping centre-style complexes. Project Genesis is projected to carry on this tradition and include new facilities never before seen at sea.

Jo Rzymowska continued: “There simply are no limits when it comes to what could possibly feature onboard Project Genesis. Royal Caribbean International guarantees to push physical and creative boundaries with its next generation of cruise ship.”

Royal Caribbean International has a second ship of this scale, Project Genesis II on order from Aker Yards. Project Genesis II is scheduled to be completed in August 2010, and the first Project Genesis ship will begin taking guests in Autumn 2009.

Genesis Inaugural Cruise - Join Us

Information will be posted as it becomes available.

To be placed on the list to join this group cruise please fill out the email address form above OR contact:

Susan Schaefer, MCC, DS
Ships 'N' Trips Travel
* supporting charity through travel *

email: susan@shipsntripstravel.com
toll free: (888) 221-1209

Flu Report for October 13 2007

2007-10-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

U.S. National Flu Report

Influenza activity estimates, as reported by state health departments. Weekly reports are published about 10-12 days after the "week ending" date, due to the time required to compile national data.

Legend

No report	No activity	Sporadic	Local Activity	Regional	Widespread

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The 2007-2008 Flu Season

2007-10-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

	Why is flu vaccine important?
	Flu vaccine supply
	When and where can you get vaccinated against the flu?
	Primary updates in the 2007 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
	Influenza ("flu") fact sheet
	Who should get flu vaccine?
	Persons who should not be vaccinated with FluMist (LAIV)
	King County weekly surveillance update

Why is flu vaccine important?

Influenza is a very contagious illness that strikes millions of Americans each year, with pneumonia as the most common complication in high-risk groups. Influenza, unlike the common cold, has a swift onset of severe symptoms beginning with two to seven days of fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, runny nose and sore throat, and a cough that is often severe and may last seven days or more. Information about influenza disease in King County will be updated at 206-296-4949 and on our website at www.metrokc.gov/health as the season progresses.

Flu vaccine supply

Public Health - Seattle and King County has begun receiving shipments of influenza vaccine and will continue to receive shipments through the end of December. This year, flu vaccine manufacturers plan to have over 130 million doses of influenza vaccine available for distribution in the United States.

When and where can you get vaccinated against the flu?

Public Health – Seattle & King County clinics will accept appointments for flu vaccination beginning October 8, 2007. October and November are the optimal months for people to receive influenza vaccine, however vaccination efforts will continue through December and into January, as long as vaccine supplies are available. People should get flu vaccine even after influenza activity has started in the community. For the 2007–08 influenza season, vaccine supplies are projected to be plentiful in the United States; therefore, influenza vaccination can proceed for all persons, whether healthy or at high risk, either individually or through mass campaigns, as soon as vaccine is available.

People should get flu vaccine even after influenza activity has started in the community. This year, the CDC has not recommended prioritization of flu shots for individuals at high risk for complications from the flu, so all persons who would like to be protected from the flu will be able to request flu vaccine.

» Public Health Immunization Clinic locations

Following is a list of providers who will be giving flu shots this season. For specific locations, dates and times for flu shots available near you, contact these providers directly.

	Visiting Nurse Services	800-449-2221 or 425-744-2404 or www.vnsnw.com
	GetAFluShot.com	877-358-7468 or 877-FLU SHOT
	Prevention MD	425-739-0700 ext. 204 or 202
	Maxim Healthcare Services	877-962-9358
	Fred Meyer Pharmacies	www.fredmeyer.com
	QFC Pharmacies	Consult local newspaper
	Safeway Pharmacies	www.safeway.com/flushots -- click on "pharmacy" or call your local store
	Snohomish Health District	South County Lynnwood 425-775-3522 or Everett 425-339-5220
	Swedish Hospital	1-800-swedish or 1-800-793-3474
	Walgreen Pharmacies

Two flu vaccines are available this year:

The traditional injectable flu vaccine which contains inactivated (killed) virus, is licensed for anyone age six months and older. Some patients experience soreness at the injection site lasting less than two days, but serious side effects from this vaccine are extremely rare. This vaccine may come in a multiple-dose vial or in single-dose prefilled syringes. Prefilled syringes for children three years and younger are thimerosal-free.

A live attenuated (weakened) virus vaccine (LAIV or “FluMist”) that is sprayed into the nose (intranasal) is licensed for healthy people aged 2 through 49 years. A small amount of vaccine is sprayed into each nostril, instead of getting an injection. Intranasal vaccine will be available at Public Health clinics and some clinics outside Public Health will also have the intranasal vaccine available.

LAIV is a good option for flu protection for people aged 2 through 49 years who are healthy and not, pregnant, including health care workers and household contacts or caregivers of people in high-risk groups. LAIV may also be considered for persons providing essential community services and persons living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions to prevent outbreaks

Both the injectable and intranasal flu vaccine formulations include protection against A/Solomon Island/3/2006 (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigens.

Costs

The fee for flu vaccine at Public Health - Seattle & King County clinics is $25.00 for the flu “shot” and $33.00 for the intranasal flu vaccine. Pneumococcal vaccine is $39.00. All of these vaccines are available on a sliding scale based on income. Costs vary for flu and pneumococcal vaccines through other providers. Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B. If you have Medicare coverage and belong to a managed care plan or HMO, you should go to your regular health care provider to receive your vaccine.

The federal and state funded Vaccines for Children program subsidizes the cost of children’s vaccine at most health care clinics. This program now includes funding for flu vaccine for all children ages 6 months through 18 years of age. Families may want to check with their clinic or physician about this program.

Primary Updates in the 2007 Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC reemphasizes the importance of administering 2 doses of vaccine to all children aged 6 months--8 years if they have not been vaccinated previously at any time with either the intranasal spray or injectable vaccine. Doses should be separated by at least 4 weeks.

CDC recommends that children aged 6 months--8 years who received only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination receive 2 doses the next flu season in which they receive flu vaccine.

Who should get flu vaccine?

People who should receive flu vaccine include those at risk of complications if they get influenza disease, and adults and children who live, work, or may come in contact with people at high risk. These groups specifically include:

All children 6-59 months of age
All persons 50 years of age and older
Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
Adults and children with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, (except hypertension) lung disease (including asthma), kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes
Children and adolescents (aged 6 months--18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, to prevent the risk of Reyes’ syndrome;
Adults and children with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system, long term treatment with drugs such as steroids or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
Adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or neurological disorders that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or increase risk of aspiration
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions

In addition, to prevent transmission to persons identified above, flu vaccine is also recommended for:

Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children aged 0--59 months and persons at high risk for severe complications from influenza
Health care workers

Persons who should not be vaccinated with FluMist (LAIV)

Adults 50 years and older or children less than 24 months of age (children younger than 6 months cannot get either LAIV or the injectable flu vaccine)

Persons with long term health problems (i.e. heart, lung, kidney, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, anemia and blood disorders)

Persons with known or suspected immunodeficiency diseases or who are receiving immunosuppressive therapies

Children or adolescents receiving aspirin or other salicylates (because of the association of Reye syndrome with wild-type influenza infection)

Persons with history of Guillian-Barré Syndrome

Pregnant women

Persons with a history of hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis) to any of the components of LAIV or to eggs

Persons with asthma or active wheezing. Children less than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing.

For more information about FluMist, go to www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

Although vaccination is the best method for preventing and reducing the impact of influenza, antiviral medications are a valuable adjunct. For patients who consult a healthcare provider within 48 hours of illness onset, antiviral medications can reduce the duration of illness and might reduce the likelihood of complications. It also can be used to prevent influenza in persons who have not received vaccine and to control outbreaks in institutions or group residential settings such as nursing homes.

Important Reminder:

Persons at high risk for influenza-related complications may also need immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia. This vaccine is given only once in a lifetime for most people, with a one-time revaccination recommended for people with certain medical conditions. For information about the pneumococcal vaccine, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf.

This is also a good time to check your immunization record for the date of your last tetanus-diphtheria (or Td) booster. Tdap, a vaccine that provides protection against pertussis (whooping cough) in addition to providing protection against tetanus and diphtheria, was licensed in September, 2005. Tdap is available for anyone 11-64 years old who has not had a Td booster in at least 2 years. This can be given during the same visit in which you receive flu vaccine. For information about the Tdap vaccine, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-tdap.pdf

Flu chart week of October 6 2007

2007-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

No report	No activity	Sporadic	Local Activity	Regional	Widespread

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Disney Short about catching cold

2007-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

I went to work for half a day and I'm back in bed, fever back up. Here's a cute Disney short for you while i am under the weather myself.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8096625160306016239&q=catching+cold&total=723&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=7

No post

2007-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Getting better but still under the weather, going to force myself to work tomorrow regardless how i feel.

When to Stay Home from Work

2007-10-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Too Sick To Work?

Here's A Guide To Common Ailments And Whether You Should Stay Home

Oct. 6, 2004

(WebMD) The alarm's buzzing ... but something's not right. You're sniffly, sneezy ... queasy. You have a common cold. Or is it something worse? Should you drag yourself to work? Or spend the day in front of the tube?

"Presenteeism" — going to work when you're sick — is as contagious as the flu. Millions of Americans are doing it. By one estimate, upwards of 75 percent head to work with the common cold or other problems.

Sure, sick employees keep the computer warm. But research shows that people sick with the common cold are not very productive. In fact, their lost productivity accounts for up to 60 percent of employer health costs — more than if they'd taken a sick day.

So you wake up with a common cold or some other ailment that's getting you down. What should you do?

To help you decide, Sharon Horesh, MD, instructor of clinical medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, gives her advice.

Just keep this in mind: "There's no antibiotic that can get rid of the common cold or flu or stomach virus," Horesh tells WebMD. "That's my pet peeve ... antibiotics only work with a bacterial infection ... bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, earache, pink eye."

Also, be careful about which medications you take for the common cold, says Nathan Segall, MD, a private practice allergy specialist in Atlanta.

The overwhelming majority reach for over-the-counter antihistamines, he says. But beware: Even if it's a so-called "non-sedating antihistamine" it could cause sleepiness and mental fogging, says Segall. "Some individuals will be more likely to have these side effects than others will."

That turns into a double-whammy: The common cold itself will affect your ability to concentrate because of clogged nasal passages and headache. Add a bit of drowsiness (whether it's from the pills or from difficulty sleeping). Pretty soon, you're making mistakes at the keyboard, barking at co-workers, generally feeling miserable. Even if it's just the common cold, maybe you should have called in sick.

To keep it from happening again, here's a checklist of symptoms that help you determine if you have a common cold or something else:

Sniffling

If you are sniffling — but not achy, not feverish — it's probably allergies. Get to work!
Sniffling, achy, tired, fever? You're coming down with the common cold or the flu. You are contagious in those first days. You are miserable, face it. You're not going to get much done at work. Also, you will recover quicker from the common cold or flu if you get some rest, says Horesh.

Chills, Sweats

If your clothes are getting drenched, you likely have a fever. (A warm forehead is a very low-grade fever or nothing at all.) When you have a fever, stay home — you're contagious! It's likely flu or, yes, the common cold. Drink fluids. Stay away from work until you feel better, Horesh advises.
If you have a fever plus white patches on your tonsils (say "ah"), it may be strep throat. It's highly contagious. You may need an antibiotic. See a doctor!

Coughing

If it's a tickle in the throat or it feels like postnasal drip, the cough is probably from allergies or the common cold. Unless you've got other common cold symptoms, such as aches or fever, get to work!
If the cough feels deep, makes you short of breath, and brings up green mucus, it's likely more than the common cold — perhaps bronchitis or pneumonia, according to Horesh. See a doctor!

Earache

If your ear really hurts, if you can't hear well, you may have an ear infection. That's not contagious. Congestion from a common cold can also leave your ear in pain. You need to see a doctor to see which it is. You may need an antibiotic. Ear infections usually don't go away on their own, she says.

Pinkeye

If your eyes are bright red, if there's creamy white stuff in the corners, if your eyelashes are getting matted, that's likely pinkeye, which is highly contagious. Don't go to work. See a doctor for an antibiotic. It's another infection that needs antibiotic help, Horesh tells WebMD.

Sinus Pain

Pain around the eyes, top of the forehead, the cheekbones, even the top of your teeth are signs of a sinus infection, but it could be a common cold. Call in sick and see a doctor to see if you need an antibiotic. Next day, you'll likely be able to get yourself to work since sinus infections aren't typically contagious, Horesh advises.

Tummy Problems

A stomach virus — nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, aches, low-grade fever — can lay you low for several days. For 24-48 hours, you'll be absolutely miserable. It can take up to five days to recover. Drink lots of fluids, especially water, so you don't get dehydrated, says Horesh.
For the first day or two, fluids and soup should be your diet. Then it's soft solids like mashed potatoes, applesauce, Jell-O, toast, and bananas. Slowly get into solid foods like meat. If you eat solid food too early, it just upsets your stomach more.
With food poisoning, vomiting and diarrhea usually occur six to 12 hours after you eat. The time frame is helpful for distinguishing it from a stomach virus. With food poisoning, once you vomit, you feel better.
Rule of Thumb: If you can hold down food, you can go into work.

Sprains/Strains

Go to work if you sit at a computer all day. But if you're on your feet, you will have more swelling, so wait until you can walk with little discomfort. An Ace bandage will give support to an ankle so you won't re-injure it, Horesh advises. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers help most people, even if they're not in a lot of pain, because they reduce swelling; take it with food so your stomach isn't irritated.
An ice pack is a good way to reduce swelling without risking stomach problems.

Headaches/Migraines

Though headaches can be caused by things like the common cold, if you can't tolerate noise or light, you likely have a migraine and shouldn't be at work, says Horesh. If you haven't seen a doctor for your migraines, make an appointment. There's no point in suffering with them. There are drugs you can take for migraines that start working within the hour and shorten the migraine's duration.

Poison Ivy

This shouldn't keep you at home (unless your eyes are swollen shut). If the rash is still oozing, it's still very contagious. Wear clothes that cover it. Wash your hands frequently. If the rash is on your hands, avoid handshakes, she says.
If you share any office equipment — keyboard, phone — make sure it's washed after you use it. Of course, that advice holds for any infectious illness, whether it's poison ivy or the common cold, Horesh tells WebMD.

SOURCES: Sharon Horesh, MD, instructor of clinical medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. Nathan Segall, MD, allergy specialist, Atlanta.

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
© 2004, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

No post - I'm very sick

2007-10-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, this cold is a monster. Once again I am home from work after going in yesterday. Sorry no post today.

Caribbean Cruises

2007-10-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

My favorite cure for a cold? A Caribbean cruise! Sorry for the shameless ad today. I feel miserable. However, it's actually two very good deals.

Cruise Freek Forums is sponsoring our first Holiday Cruise in 2008. After an open poll the Grand Princess departing on December 19, 2008 was decided upon and for full details about the cruise please visit the new website created just for this event:

http://grandprincessdecember192008.makeswebsites.com/

This site features pricing, ship photos, and just about everything you need to know about booking this special cruise offer. Our own Host Bob of Worldview Travel has been assigned the group and questions and bookings can be made through Host Bob at 800-869-0674, Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Pacific Time or you can drop Host Bob an email at bobd@worldviewtravel.com

The second annoucement is from our own Host Susan who would like to inform Cruise Freek members that her agency, Ships N Trips Travel, will be having a Princess Cruise Line sale from October 21 through October 27. This sale features reduced deposits of just $100 per person and each booking during this time will receive a coupon book in their stateroom. While this offer is NOT available for the Holiday sailing mentioned above, you might want to take advantage of it for the group sailing on Ruby Princess which will be taking place Valentin'es week in 2009. For more information on the Valentine's Day cruise in 2009 please visit:

http://cruisefreekforums.forumfreek.com/Valentine-s-Day-President-Week-2009-Aboard-Ruby-Princess-h8.html

Host Susan of Ships N Trips Travel has been assigned the group and questions and bookings can be made through Host Susan at 888-221-1209, Mond ay - Friday 9am to 5pm Eastern Time or you can drop Host Susan an email at susan@shipsntripstravel.com

Questions and bookings should be made directly with the travel agents mentioned above.

10 tips to help colds from Spreading

2007-10-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Going against the rules of colds and spreading them, I drug myself to work today. Why? I have no idea.

Ten Tips to Stop Colds From Spreading

1. Wash Hands. Washing hands literally rinses germs away. Use plenty of soap and warm, running water. It is important to rinse the hands under warm running water for 30 seconds. Teach children to say their ABC's or count to 30 while washing so they can keep their hands under the water long enough.

2. Don't share cups. Using paper cups can be helpful to avoid spreading germs. Its a great idea to have a dispense of small cups in the kitchen or bathroom to encourage children to make it a habit. Have small waste baskets handy so the paper cups can be disposed of immediately. Leaving paper cups on tables, counters or elsewhere can spread the virus germ.

3. Use paper tissue.It is best to blow the nose on paper tissue and throw it away. It is important to keep the nose gently blown to rid the body of mucous. Throwing the tissue away immediately is also important because it is a source of cold virus that can to be spread to others by leaving it on a counter, desk, couch, chair, etc.. Have small waste baskets around in places handy to use to encourage proper disposal.

4. Don't touch eyes, nose or mouth. If exposed to someone with a cold, don't th ouch your eyes, nose or mouth, which is where germs can be passed. Try to help children understand how germs can be spread in this way. Encourage children to wash their hands frequently, as germs are often spread from our hands to our mouth, after touching a surface with virus germs.

5. Use disposable towels. Paper or other disposable towels instead of cloth towels in the kitchen and other areas. Both bacteria and viruses can live on cloth towels for hours. Have waste containers handy to dispose of the paper towels immediately so that any viruses on the towels end up in the waste basket instead of on the counter.

6. Keep toys clean. Toys often carry germs. Wash children's toys regularly in warm, soapy water to kill bacteria and viruses.

7. Sneeze away. Of course, sneeze away from others and into a tissue that can be thrown away. If you don't have a tissue handy, sneeze into your arm. If you have to cover you mouth with your hands, be sure to wash your hands immediately afterward. Model these behaviors for children. It's not a good idea to hold in a sneeze, so let it out, but try to sneeze in a way that doesn't spread germs to others.

8. Ventilate. Open windows when the weather permits because germs may remain stagnant in the air. Use a humidifier to keep the air moist to avoid nose irritation.

9. Wipe up Germs. Germs my rest on surfaces for up to three hours. Surfaces that are touched frequently, such as door knobs, handrails, light switches, telephones, remote controls, and counter tops should be wiped frequently with disinfectant wipes.

10. Don't smoke or allow smoking. Smoking can irritate the nose and lungs, drastically increasing children's susceptibility to colds. If the child already has a cold, smoke can really irritate the lungs and nasal passages and cause a cold to become something more serious. A smoke free environment is best for health.

Even if the Common Cold is all top common,we all can practice simple prevention techniques to help avoid the spread of the virus. Many of the tips are common sense, but may take some practice. Children, especially may have trouble understanding how colds are spread and lack understanding of these common sense techniques. Try to find ways to make prevention fun and hopefully these good health tips will become habits.

No Post Today I Have A Horrible Cold

2007-10-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

If any of you have the same strain of cold that I do - slight fever, some aches, almost flu like but too early to be the flu, you have my sympathy.

No post today my own cold is too bad

2007-10-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, no post today. I'm still running a fever of 101 and my cold is in both my head and chest. This girl needs her rest today.

Tired of Your Co-Workers Passing Colds Around?

2007-10-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning feeling horrible including a fever of 101. I did not go to work because my cold is that bad. And, this is my second cold of the season, both caught directly as a result of my work place. I thought this would be a perfect article to post today given my own personal circumstances.

March 8, 2006 -- Many U.S. workers refuse to call in sick even though this attitude risks infecting their co-workers and compromises productivity, according to a new national survey.

In fact, 35% of U.S. workers said they felt pressured to go to work when they are sick with the flu , even though this causes about half of them to get upset when a co-worker does the same thing. When asked why they feel pressured to show up, 60% of employees said they are concerned about their work not getting done, 48% said they feel guilty for missing work, and 25% said they don't get paid for sick days. Other reasons include fear their boss will be angry and concern about losing their job.

So-called "presenteeism," or workers' being on the job, but, because of illness or other medical conditions, not fully functioning, can have a serious impact in the workplace. In a typical year, the flu in the workplace may result in as much as $10 billion in lost productivity, according to estimates from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

"The phenomenon of presenteeism is very relevant with regard to influenza," says Susan J. Rehm, MD, NFID medical director and a doctor in the department of infectious disease at The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

"We hope that by discussing the topic and helping people to better understand the symptoms and prevention and treatment of the flu, they will be better able to handle workforce pressures and the pressure that they put on themselves to go to work even when they have the flu," she says.

"One of the objective ways that people can make a decision about staying home is the presence of fever," Rehm advises. "Most colds aren't associated with fever whereas the flu very commonly has fever associated with it and it's likely that fever will be seen along with others symptoms that will make the person think twice about whether they want to go to work," she says, adding that studies have proven that staying home for a day or two can boost productivity in the long term.

According to the survey, 58% of respondents said they have had co-workers come to work sick or with the flu this winter, and 30% said they have contracted the flu virus from a co-worker. What's more, 40% of people are annoyed and 46% are sympathetic when a co-worker comes to work with the flu.

Stay Home if You Have a Fever

But Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of respiratory care at Mount Sinai in New York City and the author of The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu, says the awful truth is that most people are actually contagious in the 24 to 48 hours before they come down with the full-blown flu. "You probably exposed most of your co-workers to the flu before it hits you," he says. "If it's Monday morning and you start to feel sick, stay home because you have not infected your co-workers yet."

Try and remember that "it doesn't help the company to spread the flu to everybody there, and even the most aggressive boss would not want you around if you are going to bring everyone else down," he says. "It is a good attitude to show up and do work and not let everything stop you, but you need to take winter respiratory infections seriously."

An Ounce of Prevention

Fifty-two percent of the employees surveyed said their organization does not have a plan in place to prevent the spread of flu in the workplace.

That said, the best way to stay healthy during cold and flu season is to "wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands," he tells WebMD. "Make sure you get a flu shot, and if you are over 50 or have underlying health problems, get the pneumonia shot, too," he suggests.

Rehm adds that not getting paid for sick days is a huge issue. "One would hope employers will continue to look at these issues of productivity and establish policies that will make it easier for workers to stay home appropriately," she says.

Conducted by the NFID, the new survey comprised 978 adults aged 18 and older who were employed full-time and was conducted Jan. 26-30. A follow-up survey was conducted Feb. 9-13.

SOURCES: Neil Schachter, MD, medical director, respiratory care, Mount Sinai, New York City; author, The Good Doctor's Guide to Colds and Flu. News release, New National Survey Shows Employees Feel Pressured to Go to Work, Despite Being Sick With Flu. Feb 27, 2006.

Chest Colds

2007-10-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm coming down with my second cold of the season. So I am under the weather like many of you are, unfortunately, it's part of my work to be around people with colds and therefore I get three times the colds as the average person. Nonetheless, if you're sneezing, shivering and slightly feverish today, I am too. Misery loves company...

Time, Not Antibiotics, Best Rx for Chest Cold

Study: Antibiotics Don't Help Cough With Ugly Phlegm in People Without Lung Disease

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical News

June 21, 2005 -- Antibiotics don't help a chest cold much -- even if you're coughing up icky green gunk, a new study shows.

The new findings don't apply to people with underlying lung disease. These patients probably do benefit from antibiotics. But the rest of us do not, find Paul Little, MD, professor of medicine at England's University of Southampton, and colleagues.

Little's team studied some 800 otherwise healthy people, aged 3 years and older, seeing a doctor for a lower respiratory infection. Doctors often call this bronchitis. Most of us know it as a chest cold.

The researchers gave some of the patients antibiotics right away. Others didn't get antibiotics at all. A third group got a prescription for antibiotics, but it was left in a box at the reception desk. They could get the prescription at any time but were advised to wait 14 days.

The bottom line: Nobody got better much faster than anybody else did. On average, patients already had a cough for nine days before they saw a doctor. It took about 12 more days for patients' coughs to get completely better -- although one in four patients had a cough lasting 17 more days or longer. The findings appear in the June 22/29 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Doctors have unfortunately been doling out antibiotics believing they will help -- but antibiotics do not seem to be the answer," Little tells WebMD. "Antibiotics may make a difference of a day in an illness lasting three weeks. I tell patients, 'In your case, antibiotics will probably not make a difference -- and you have to suffer their side effects if you take them.'"

Chest Colds Linger Longer

Modern medical science has made huge strides in understanding and treating a wide variety of diseases. Yet surprisingly little is known about the common illnesses that plague us.

That's why Little's study is so important, says Mark H. Ebell, MD, deputy editor of American Family Physician and associate professor at Michigan State University. He says the findings aren't just a surprise to patients -- they're a surprise to doctors, too.

For example, Ebell notes, doctors generally thought the cough from a chest cold lasted about a week. Surprisingly, Little's team finds that these coughs last for about three weeks -- and often last a month. And it's also a surprise to many doctors that antibiotics really don't help otherwise healthy patients with chest colds.

"I hope this will educate doctors about the limits of antibiotics for treating cough," Ebell tells WebMD. "It is very hard for doctors to learn the limits of their own informal observations in practice and to lean that sometimes the studies are right and they are wrong."

What About Children?

It's one thing to accept the news that antibiotics won't help our own chest colds. But won't they at least help our coughing kids?

No, Little and colleagues find. The otherwise healthy children enrolled in their study did the same as adults.

That confirms what some pediatricians already suspected, says Michael J. Light, MD, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' pulmonology section and professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami in Florida.

"The majority of kids don't need antibiotics unless they have a definite pneumonia," Light tells WebMD. "Lower respiratory infections in kids are common and they go on for a long time. We pediatricians take notice of coughs that go on beyond five or seven days, and those are the ones we tend to treat with antibiotics. But this study clearly shows that probably isn't the right approach. Waiting it out is correct."

Despite this reassurance, Light says parents should be aware of signs that children need help right away.

"If a cough lasts for more than several days, it is not an unreasonable thing to see the doctor," Light says. "If children have a fever that persists, if they seem to be breathing significantly faster than usual, this needs to be checked out."

A child that has difficulty breathing and begins to turn blue should immediately be taken to an emergency room.

Danger Signs

Sometimes you really do need to see a doctor for a bad cough. It could be pneumonia. Signs of pneumonia are:

Shortness of breath
High fever
Rapid breathing
Coughing rusty-colored or bloody sputum
Feeling very weak or tired

If you have any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

"Basically, any time someone is worried we want them to come in," Ebell says. "There are other reasons to worry about a cough besides chest colds. Coughs can be caused by acid reflux, allergies, sinus infections, asthma, and other things we can treat. Any cough lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated by a doctor unless it is definitely getting better and almost gone."

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How We Actually Catch Cold and Flu Viruses

2007-10-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

When someone has a cold, the nasal secretions are teeming with cold viruses. Coughing, drooling, and talking are all unlikely ways to pass a cold. But sneezing, nose-blowing, and nose-wiping are the means by which the virus spreads. You can catch a cold by inhaling the virus if you are sitting close to a sneeze, or by touching your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by infected nasal secretions.

Once you have "caught" a cold, the symptoms begin in 1 to 5 days. Usually irritation in the nose or a scratchy feeling in the throat is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.

Inhaling droplets from coughs or sneezes is the most common way to catch the flu. Symptoms appear 1 to 7 days later (usually 2-3 days). The flu is airborne and quite contagious, and with its short incubation period it often slams into a community all at once, creating a noticeable cluster of school and work absences. The flu usually arrives in the winter months. Within 2 or 3 weeks of its arrival, most of the classroom has had it.

Traveling and Colds

2007-09-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it feel like you have the worst luck sometimes? You're feeling healthy, strong and ready for your next business trip. You make it through the long flight and the first day of meetings. And then you wake up the next morning, congested, coughing and sneezing. Your head is pounding and the last thing you want to do is get out of bed. Yep, you caught a cold.

There's not much worse than being sick while you're traveling, whether your trip is for business or pleasure. You don't want to miss out on the vacation of a lifetime, nor do you want to jeopardize a big meeting with clients.

So what can you do? Of course, you should do everything you can do avoid getting sick in the first place. The best way to do that is simple, according to Dr. Mark Roberts, an occupational medicine specialist and former medical director for several Fortune 500 companies.

"Do what your mother taught you," he advises. "Use tissues and dispose of them properly. Keep your hands away from your mouth. Have as much space as possible between you and the next person on the plane."

Also, stick to your normal routine. "When you start traveling, it's easier to get away from that routine. You eat different foods, your sleeping patterns might change," Roberts says. When you change your routine, you might experience adverse health effects. So, don't drink or eat more than you normally do -- and make sure to get a good night's rest.

And of course, the cardinal rule in preventing sickness, wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Unfornately, air travel makes it hard to stay healthy sometimes. "There's a lot of people in small places," Roberts says. "The opportunity to share influenza and cold viruses is very common."

Even if you take all the possible precautions, you can still get sick. Roberts says that there are a few over-the-counter medications every traveler should have handy.

- Headache medication. Advil, aspirin, Tylenol are common examples. "Make sure it's whatever you normally take for headaches. Some medications can have adverse effects, so make sure it's something you've taken before."

- Antihistamine. Your basic cold medication. Again, make sure it's a medication you've used (and one that has worked) before. "Make sure to read the fine print, because some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, which means you might not be in tip-top shape to make a presentation." Also, don't take more than the recommended dose.

Soothing Your Sore Throat

2007-09-29T05:14:00.000-07:00

Got a sore throat? It's not uncommon this time of year. Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection and accompany a cold or the flu. The sore throat caused by a virus usually goes away on its own after about a week.

Occasionally, a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection -- usually strep (streptococcal). Strep throat may cause a painful throat, swollen lymph glands, fever or headaches, but usually doesn't cause the cough, congestion or hoarseness of viral infections. Strep throat requires antibiotics. Your doctor can determine if you have a viral or a bacterial infection by swabbing the back of your throat and culturing the cells for bacteria.

The March issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers self-care tips to ease sore throat:

Get plenty of rest.
Double fluid intake.
Gargle, but don't swallow, a glass of warm water mixed with ½ teaspoon salt.
Use throat sprays or lozenges.
Eat foods that are gentle on your throat, such as ice cream, sorbet or soup.
Take pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
Wear a face mask to keep the air that you breathe moist.

Looks Like Mom Might Have Right All Along

2007-09-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Mothers and grandmothers have long warned that chilling the surface of the body, through wet clothes, feet and hair, causes common cold symptoms to develop.

But much previous research has dismissed any link between chilling and viral infection as having no scientific basis.

Now researchers in Cardiff, Wales, say they can prove drops in temperature to the body really can cause a cold to develop. (Watch what they did to 'chill' people in the study -- 3:24)

Claire Johnson and Professor Ron Eccles, from Cardiff University's Common Cold Center, recruited 180 volunteers, half of whom they got to immerse their feet in ice and cold water for 20 minutes.

The other 90 in tests during the common cold "season" sat with their feet in an empty bowl.

During the next four or five days, almost a third (29 percent) of the chilled volunteers developed cold symptoms -- compared to just 9 percent in the control group, the scientists said.

Professor Eccles said there was a simple explanation as to why chilly feet could lead to the development of cold virus symptoms.

"When colds are circulating in the community many people are mildly infected but show no symptoms," he said, according to the UK's Press Association.

"If they become chilled this causes a pronounced constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and shuts off the warm blood that supplies the white cells that fight infection.

"The reduced defences in the nose allow the virus to get stronger and common cold symptoms develop.

"Although the chilled subject believes they have `caught a cold' what has in fact happened is that the dormant infection has taken hold."

The researchers, writing in the UK medical journal Family Practice, said that common colds were more prevalent in the winter than the summer, and this could be related to an increased incidence of chilling causing more clinical colds.

But they also suggested that another explanation could be that our noses are colder in the winter.

Professor Eccles added: "A cold nose may be one of the major factors that causes common colds to be seasonal.

"When the cold weather comes we wrap ourselves up in winter coats to keep warm but our nose is directly exposed to the cold air.

"Cooling of the nose slows down clearance of viruses from the nose and slows down the white cells that fight infection.

"Mothers can now be confident in their advice to children to wrap up well in winter."

Cardiff's Common Cold Center says it is the world's only center dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for the treatment of flu and the common cold.

Source: CNN

That Rotten, Stinking Cold - Chicken Soup Comfort

2007-09-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Doctors Test Chicken Soup--Don't Laugh
Is this a laughing matter? We couldn't restrain a chuckle or two. In the medical journal Chest, vol. 118, 2000, a group of physicians* not only revealed that chicken soup worked on experimental cold symptoms--but actually came up with a list of brands that were graded for presumed effectiveness. And even more--they provided a recipe!

They also noted that it was an anti-inflammatory factor or factors from the chicken that caused cold symptoms. Popular belief is that cold symptoms are caused by the organism (bacteria or virus.) What they revealed is that the runny nose, the sneezing, the headaches, are caused by the body's attempt to fight the invader, not the invader itself.

Though they did not attempt to test aspirin as an anti-inflammatory remedy, it would seem that it too could be launched in the fight against colds. Yes, it sometimes is. But perhaps it could be taken even if a headache was not present?

They also found that the vegetables cooked with the soup also had cold symptom benefits, that is, separate from the chicken. Both together were of course, superior.

Store-bought chicken soup:
Listed in order of presumed effectiveness:

Knorr's Chicken Flavor Chicken Noodle
Campbell's Home Cookin' Chicken Vegetable
Campbell's Healthy Request Chicken Noodle
Lipton's Cup-o-soup, Chicken Noodle
Progresso Chicken Noodle.
Other brands, including some of Campbell's, were less effective.

Here's the recipe. More work of course, but you can cut the excessive use of salt found in store-bought types:

1 5-to 6-lb stewing hen or baking chicken,
1 package of chicken wings,
3 large onions,
l large sweet potato,
3 parsnips,
2 turnips,
11 to 12 large carrots,
5 to 6 celery stems,
1 bunch of parsley,
salt and pepper to taste.

Cover the chicken with cold water, and bring it to boiling. Add chicken wings, onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips and carrots. Boil about 1 1/2 hours, removing fat regularly. Add the parsley and celery. Cook all about 45 minutes longer. Remove the chicken, which is no longer used for the soup. Put the vegetables in a food processor until chopped fine or pass them through a strainer. Add salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

*Drs. B. Rennard, Ertl, Gossman, Robbins and S. I. Rennard.

It's Not Just You, Everyone Does Have A Cold Right Now

2007-09-26T05:18:00.000-07:00

Achy head? Stuffed up nose? Slight fever? Too congested to sleep and to tired to go to work or school? No, it's not allergies, you have a cold and, it seems like everyone around you does too. No, you're not alone, colds are in full swing right now.

Myth 1:

The greatest myth about the common cold is that susceptibility to colds requires a weakened immune system.

Facts:

1. Healthy people with normal immune systems are highly susceptible to cold virus infection once the virus enters the nose. In volunteers studies, approximately 95% of normal adults became infected when virus was dropped into the nose (72, also see How Cold Virus Infection Occurs).

2. Of people who become infected, only 75% develop symptoms with a cold. (5, 72) The other 25% have virus growing in the nose but have no symptoms. They have an "asymptomatic infection".

3. Why people sometimes become infected but do not develop cold symptoms is a mystery. One clue is that in such instances the person may not be producing the normal amount of certain inflammatory mediators, the natural body chemicals which cause cold symptoms (2, also see What Causes Cold Symptoms). If this theory is correct, then people with active immune systems may be more prone to developing cold symptoms than people with less active immune systems!

Myth 2:

Central heating dries the mucus membranes of the nose and makes a person more susceptible to catching a cold.

Facts:

1. As discussed above, a cold virus does not need the help of dry mucus membranes to initiate a cold once it enters the nose (72, also see How Cold Virus Infection Occurs).

2. The nasal mucus membrane is very resistant to the effects of low humidity. Volunteers placed in chambers where the humidity was dramatically lowered (9% relative humidity, such as found in a desert) still have normal clearance function of the nasal mucus membrane. (73, 74) Low humidity makes the nose feel dry but the mucus membrane still continues to work normally.

3. The cold season in the United States typically begins in late August and early September at a time when temperatures are still moderate and central heating is not being used. (74, 75) September is the time of a major common cold epidemic despite people not being exposed to the drying effects of central heating.

Myth 3:

Becoming cold or chilled leads to catching a cold.

Facts:

1. As discussed above, almost everybody becomes infected whether they are chilled or not, if cold virus is dropped into the nose. (72)

2. One study has looked at this question. It was found that colds were no more frequent or severe in volunteers who were chilled than those who were not. (76)

Myth 4:

Having cold symptoms is good for you because they help you get over a cold, therefore you should not treat a cold.

Facts:

1. Approximately 25% of people who get a cold virus infection do not develop symptoms and yet they get over the infection as well as people who do have symptoms (5, 72, also see How Virus Infection Occurs).

2. The nose can only respond to irritative events such as a cold virus infection or dust or pollen entering the nose in a limited number of ways. Sneezing and nasal secretions are useful in removing dust and pollen from the nose but do not eliminate cold viruses since the virus is multiplying inside the nasal cells where it is safe.

3. Nose blowing propels nasal secretions into the sinus cavity. (41) Nasal secretions contain viruses, bacteria, and inflammatory mediators all of which are able to produce inflammation in the sinus cavity. This may lead to secondary bacterial infection.

4. Nose blowing, sneezing, and coughing benefit the virus by helping spread it to other people (see How Colds are Spread).

5. Commercially available and FDA approved cold treatments are safe and effective (see Treatment). It makes sense to use them because they benefit the cold sufferer and may help prevent the spread of colds.

Myth 5:

Drinking milk causes increased nasal mucus during a cold.

Facts:

1. Milk and mucus may look alike, but milk is digested like any other protein and is not specifically converted into nasal mucus.

2. An Australian study was actually done in volunteers to address this question. (77) It showed that people drinking lots of milk had no more nasal mucus than those not drinking milk.

Myth 6:

You should feed a cold (and starve a fever).

Facts:

1. The origin of this old saying is obscure. There is no scientific evidence that excess eating will cure a cold.

2. On the other hand, eating tasty food will not make a cold worse and may help the cold victim feel better. Commoncold.org features tasty recipes for the cold sufferer.

Feel better!

Oh That Runny Nose!!

2007-09-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

Runny nose or stuffy nose? Here's what to do

From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com

You might have a runny or stuffy nose because of a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies — even stress. If so, your nose problem will probably clear on its own. Here are some tips to help you breathe more easily until it does.

Runny nose: Where does all that mucus come from?

Glands in your nose and sinuses continually produce mucus — as much as 1 to 2 quarts a day. The mucus cleans and moisturizes your nasal membranes and helps fight infection. You're probably not aware of this until your body steps up mucus production, usually in an effort to clear cold or flu viruses or allergens from your nasal passages. Cold temperatures, spicy food and hormonal changes also can trigger a runny nose.

Is it serious?
A runny nose is usually just an annoyance. But it can be a sign of a more serious problem. See your doctor if:

Your symptoms last more than three weeks, or you have a fever along with your runny nose.
Your nasal discharge is thick, green or yellow in color, and accompanied by sinus pain. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
Your nose is persistently runny on one side only. In a child, this might be a sign that a small object is lodged in that nostril.
You have blood in your nasal discharge or a persistent clear discharge after a head injury.
You have asthma or emphysema, or you're on immune-suppressing medications.

What will help?
Gentle blowing is often the only treatment you need for a runny nose. But if the discharge is persistent and watery, an over-the-counter antihistamine may be helpful, especially if your runny nose is allergy related. Be sure to follow the label instructions exactly. Some antihistamines make you drowsy and can interact with other medications and alcohol. And by slowing the flow of mucus, they cause germs to stay in your nasal passages longer.

For babies and small children, use a soft rubber suction bulb to gently remove the secretions. Don't give antihistamines to children unless your doctor recommends them.

Postnasal drip: Common companion to a runny nose

The mucus your nose produces travels in a thin film down the back of your throat. It traps allergens and germs and disposes of them through your digestive system. Normally, you swallow the mucus without knowing it. But when there's more mucus than usual, you may feel the postnasal drip accumulating in the back of your throat.

What will help?
In addition to being uncomfortable, postnasal drip can cause a cough, sore throat or constant throat clearing. To help relieve these symptoms:

Avoid irritants. Common irritants that may stimulate mucus production include cigarette smoke and sudden temperature changes — going from extreme heat into air conditioning, for instance.
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated keeps your postnasal mucus thin and easier to swallow.
Use a humidifier. Dry air thickens and dries mucus in your nose and throat.
Try saline sprays or rinses. Saltwater rinses and saline sprays thin your mucus and get rid of irritants. You can buy saline nasal sprays in most drugstores. Or you can make your own. Dissolve about 1/4 teaspoon salt in 2 cups of warm distilled water. Use a suction bulb to place the solution in your nose or put some of the warm salt water in the cup of your hand, and then sniff it up, one nostril at a time.
See your doctor. If the problem persists and other measures don't help, see your doctor for other options.

Stuffy nose: When nasal passages close up

A stuffy nose can be just as uncomfortable as a runny one, and often the causes are the same: a cold or the flu; allergies to dust, pollen or pet dander; or a nonallergic inflammation of your nasal blood vessels (vasomotor rhinitis). This occurs when the blood vessels in your nose expand in response to exercise, cold air, spicy food, even stress. A number of medications also can dry out your nose and throat, including:

Diuretics
Anti-anxiety medications
Birth control pills and erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra
Beta blockers
Nasal decongestants, especially when used for more than a few days

Less often, a stuffy nose may result from a deformity in the bony partition separating your two nasal chambers (nasal septum) or a growth in your nasal passage, such as a nasal polyp.

Is it serious?
Although nasal congestion is just an annoyance for most older children and adults, it can be serious in infants. Babies who are congested in the first months of life have trouble nursing and can experience breathing problems. If your child is younger than 3 months, call your doctor at the first sign of illness. You can usually treat an older baby's stuffy nose by giving plenty of fluids, moistening the air in your home, suctioning the baby's nose and using a saline nasal spray or homemade nasal wash.

What will help?
Try these measures to relieve your stuffy nose:

Steam. One of the simplest ways to break up congestion is to inhale steam from a hot shower or a kettle of boiling water. Bring 4 to 6 cups of water to a boil, then make a tent over your head with a bath towel to concentrate the steam. Adding 3 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water may provide even more benefit. Be patient; it may take 10 to 15 minutes for this method to work.
Fluids. Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, juice or tea to help thin mucus. Avoid caffeinated beverages, which can cause dehydration and aggravate your symptoms.
Chicken soup. Lots of soups are soothing, but chicken soup has been shown to speed the movement of mucus through the nasal passages. This helps relieve congestion and limit the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nasal lining.
Salt water. Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or prepare your own saltwater solution. Both can be extremely effective at relieving congestion.
Breathing strips. Most drugstores and some supermarkets sell adhesive strips that you place across the bridge of your nose. These strips open the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe more freely.
Decongestants. Beware of over-the-counter decongestants. If used for more than 2 or 3 days, they can actually make congestion worse. All decongestants — oral or topical — may have a stimulant effect and raise blood pressure in some people. Children shouldn't use them at all; there's no evidence that they work in children, and they can have serious side effects. Gentler options such as steam, nasal rinses and breathing strips are more effective and don't have side effects.

Is It A Cold Or Is It The Flu?

2007-09-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

Odds are you'll catch a cold soon, if you haven't already this season: The average American adult catches about two to four a year. Children get between five and nine each year with preschoolers the most susceptible, according to the Mayo Clinic, based in Rochester, Minnesota.

Flu, while less common, is more severe. On average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized yearly with influenza and flu-related complications. As many as 36,000 Americans die each year from complications of the flu, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

This year's flu season is off to a slow start. The CDC reports sporadic cases, or none at all, around most of the nation. But the situation can quickly change, says one expert.

"Sometimes, things will start in October or November and then other times we don't see activity until January and February," says Dr. Joe Dalovisio, chairman of the infectious disease group at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. "It's just not predictable."

Cold vs. flu

Determining if you have the flu or just a bad cold is the first step in treatment, Dalovisio says.

A cold often includes a runny nose, sneezing and coughing; the flu usually features those same symptoms, but more severe, along with fever, more coughing and more muscle aches, according to Dalovisio. Both come with a feeling of exhaustion.

"Frequently, it's not the issue of 'Can I make it to work?'" he explains. "But 'I can't go to work.' You're just so sick."

Castelli knew she had caught something beyond a cold after her symptoms worsened.

"I know my cold inside and out. I get it two or three times a year. It will be over in a week," she said. "I knew this wasn't a normal cold when the week had passed and I still felt horrible. ... There were about five days where I couldn't even get out of bed."

People who come down with the flu can take prescription medications to reduce the time they're sick -- but only if taken within 48 hours of the first symptom's appearance, according to the American Lung Association. The medicines oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine and rimantadine (sold under the brand names Tamiflu, Relenza, Symmetrel and Flumadine, respectively) can lessen flu's severity and length by at least a day, depending on the strain of the flu.

Otherwise, doctors recommend basic treatments for colds and flus: bed rest, plenty of fluids, aspirin or acetaminophen for fevers and headaches and over-the-counter medication to temporarily relieve symptoms.

No conclusive evidence exists to show herbal remedies or homemade cures help speed up the healing process. But Dalovisio said if mom's chicken soup or doses of zinc make a patient feel nurtured, then it's helpful.

Andrea Buhr of Marietta, Georgia, agrees. If she or her sons get sick, Buhr says, certain comforting treatments are always on hand to stifle runny noses and soothe sore throats.

"[We] like chicken soup, tea with honey and lemon, cough drops -- and packs and packs of soft tissue."

Prevention is key

The best treatment, Dalovisio says, is prevention. Simple steps can help stave off the worst of the cold and flu season.

Although there is no vaccine for the common cold, the flu vaccine is one of the top weapons against influenza. A flu vaccine shortage this year, however, will prevent many from taking that step. Heath officials advise only those in high-risk groups to get the vaccine. (Vaccine shortage a global crisis, Why no cure for the common cold?)

But there is still plenty that the average person can do to ward off germs.

Over-the-counter medicines can relieve symptoms of the cold and flu, but doctors also recommend plenty of rest.

"Most cold and flu viruses are spread by hand-to-mouth type [contact] rather than airborne," Dalovisio says. He advises avoiding crowded situations like cocktail or office parties if you really want to avoid colds.

"[At these events,] you shake hands, then you eat your chip and dip, and then you shake somebody else's hand. It's the perfect scenario to get sick," he says. But he doesn't mean to scare people into becoming a recluse, he adds.

Good, old-fashioned hand-washing is also one of the best preventative measures a person can take.

"People ask me, 'As an infectious disease doctor, don't you get sick a lot?'" he explains. "And I tell them: 'No, I don't' because I wash my hands before and after every patient.'"

Buhr has instilled the hand-washing habit in her sons, calling that one of the reasons the family doesn't get sick very often. During cold and flu season, "I really step up the hand-washing routine reminders," she says.

Cleaning a desk at work, school or home may also eliminate lurking germs. Rhinoviruses that cause colds can survive up to three hours, so cleaning surfaces with disinfectant may help stop infections, according to the National Institutes of Health. (Is your desk making you sick?)

And if you do get sick, experts say don't play the martyr and come into work -- if you do, you'll only make everyone around you miserable, too.

"Unfortunately, there are some people who will try to go to work with the flu and spread it around," Dalovisio says.

Common sense precautions are simple, but they may mean the difference between spending weeks sick in bed or sailing through the cold and flu season without a sniffle.

Escape the Common Cold with a Caribbean Cruise

2007-09-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

As I continue battle against a raging head and chest cold, caught at work, I thought I would share this with you if a cruise is just what your doctor ordered.

Cruise Freek Forums Announce Cruise Quotes

Cruise Freek Forums has announced that FREE, NO OBLIGATION cruise quotes are now available from registered travel agencies.

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ACHOOOOO - The Contagious Cold

2007-09-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

Sooner or later everybody catches a cold. Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses. These viruses are spread by person-to-person contact through contaminated secretions on the fingers and hands, and through particles in the air from sneezing and coughing.

As long as the virus is present in nasal discharges, the cold is contagious. Scientists believe that there is more live virus present in nasal secretions between the second and fourth days of infection, so you could say that a person is more contagious during this time period. Symptoms usually begin around the second day, but this can vary. Some people never have symptoms, even though an infection is present. Some people do not develop symptoms until the fifth day after infection. No one can explain this variation and it is one of the things that make it difficult to find what to take to stop a common cold. Some people have symptoms for only a couple of days; others for a couple of weeks. Experts advise that if symptoms are present for longer than two weeks, there may be another cause, such as allergy or a bacterial infection.

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