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Show Cold-Causing Virus is Wrapped In Mystery, Medical Unit Says The virus that causes the common com-mon cold is still partially wrapped in mystery, according to the Utah State Medical Association. Associ-ation. However, physicians and scientists sci-entists are getting closer and closer to the day when they will be able to prevent most occurrences occur-rences of this pesky and prevalent pre-valent disease. Many of us have a built-in immunity to colds which comes and goes throughout the year usually lasting for two or three weeks at a time. Others, particularly particu-larly older persons and the chronically ill, can strengthen their resistance to colds by taking tak-ing a series of injections designed to increase the efficiency of the blood stream's infection-fighting white corpuscles. The symptoms accompanying a cold are known to us all swelling and irritation of the lining of the nose, sinuses, throat and lungs. Fortunately, nature has provided us with a wonderful wonder-ful ability to manufacture substances sub-stances in our blood to combat the cold infection and to effect a cure in from three to seven days. There are many agents which will relieve the congestion, conges-tion, aches, pains, and runny nose which accompany a cold, but we still know of no specific medicine which will produce an immediate cure. Because other more serious diseases often have cold-like symptoms, it is important impor-tant to consult your doctor if a cold hangs on for more than a week. If there is a marked increase in-crease in temperature, for example, ex-ample, your "cold" might well be pneumonia, or influenza. Colds know not seasonal or geographic boundaries but they are most prevalent during the spring and the fall. The usual method of a cold's spreading is by respiratory droplets and infected in-fected articles such as handkerchiefs. handker-chiefs. Therefore, one of the best protective measures one can take is to avoid close contact with cold sufferers whenever possible. pos-sible. General preventive measures would certainly include: following follow-ing good nutritional habits; avoiding extremes of heat or cold and keeping well protected against the elements; getting plenty of sleep, and sufficient exercise. By following these general gen-eral rules for good health you can cut your sniffles and sneezes down to a minimum. |