Text 2 Ten Ways to Treat a Cold

By Dr. James Wright

This year Australians will average 1.8 bouts of the common cold. Doctors call it acute coryza; everybody else calls it 'the flu', 'the bug', 'the virus', or 'the dog's disease'.

Symptoms include a runny nose or blocked nasal passages, sore throat, pains under the eyes behind the cheeks, fever, tin­gling skin, cough and simply 'feeling lousy'.

Follow this 10-point plan and your cold will probably clear up as you help nature overcome the problem. There is no single pill that will result in a rapid cure.

1. Bed. Go to bed for 2-4 days, depending on how you feel. Keep away from work, otherwise you will spread the virus to other people.

In a cosy, warm bed you are helping your immune system over­come the viral invaders. This is the simplest, best and probably most important part of treatment.

2. Fluids. You tend to perspire, and feel sticky and uncomfort­able when suffering from cold. In a single day you eliminate an enormous amount of fluid this way, and this must be replaced. Adequate fluid also helps eliminate from the body dead germs, toxins and the byproducts of your system's enhanced metabolism.

Cool water is best - drink at least 6-8 glasses a day. Add some lemon juice - the tang is refreshing and it reduces phlegm.

3. Gargle. Add S teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle and expel. Continue until the glass is empty. Repeat ev­ery 2-4 hours depending on how you feel. It is very refreshing and virtually free.

The gargling removes germs, debris and phlegm from the back of the throat.

4. Cough. Invariably, there is a cough, which helps remove phlegm, dead germs and other debris from the chest; so never suppress a cough completely. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of lemon juice. Then add 1 teaspoon of glycerine to make a simple linctus. Mix well and sip whenever the cough troubles you.

Make certain the room temperature is warm, because cold air irritates inflamed respiratory tubes, causing unnecessary coughing. This is especially so with children. Several commercial cough remedies are available, and these provide some relief to chronic, unproductive coughing.

5. Pain and Fevers. The skin often feels sensitive and tingly. Sweating is common, so as uncomfortable, sticky feeling occurs. Aches and pains may affect every joint, as well as the large muscles of the arms, legs and back.

Medication often gives temporary relief, even though it is not a cure. Aspirin may help, but will often make you sweat more.

Paracetamol tablets can also reduce pain and fever. For children aged six years and under, do not give aspirin (it may cause stom­ach irritation), but paracetamol elixir. Follow the recommended dose on the label of the bottle.

Take a minimum of medication for a minimum period, and only if symptoms warrant it.

6. Blocked Nose. The air passages often become clogged, making normal breathing difficult. Germs penetrate into the sinuses, causing pain under the eyes behind the cheeks.

Simple inhalations may help. Ten drops of friar's balsam in 600 ml of boiling water should be effective. Breathe the fumes through a paper funnel until the steam stops rising. Then wash your face with a cold flannel to avoid a fresh chill.

Medicated water vapor (as this is called) relieves congestion all along the respiratory tract. Nasal drops or sprays also give relief, but shouldn't be overused - three days' use should be the maximum.

7. Bathing. Have a quick, lukewarm shower each day. Sit on a stool if you feel weak. End the shower with cool water, and dab the body dry with a soft towel. Do not rub dry, for the skin is often very sensitive for a few days. Go back to bed or to a warm room, and avoid getting cold and catching a fresh chill, for this enables the germs to gain a fresh foothold.

8. Food. You will not die if you starve for a few days, and giving the body a rest is often a good idea. Liquids such as fresh fruit juices are often adequate. Avoid milk and sugar products for a few days.

Light meals are best until you have recovered.

9. Vitamins. These are unlikely to cut a cold short, although an adequate intake of high-vitamin foods as part of your lifestyle will reduce the risk of infection. I take vitamins daily and have missed only two working weeks in 35 years.

10. Medication. Unless prescribed by the doctor, do not use antibiotics left over from previous problems, or those prescribed for other people. These medications will not cure a cold, which is viral in nature. However, antibiotics will help if secondary infection occurs and causes chest complications and infected throats, ears or sinuses.

Also, avoid smoking or the passive smoke from other people's cigarettes.

Incidentally, the flu vaccine will not prevent the common cold, but it will help you avoid a life-threatening influenza.