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Show CAN'T 'CURE' COLDS; PREVENT THEM This is the time of year when the common cold becomes king as a troublemaker. This is the time to prevent colds, because there is still no specific treatment treat-ment that is effective against cold virus. That's the warning of your neighborhood doctor who is a member of the Utah State Medical Association. The American Medical Association's As-sociation's new pamphlet reports re-ports that colds cost the United Unit-ed States $5 billion annually in lost wages, lost production, and medical expenses. More than 150 million days per year are lost from our work force. More than 20 million people suffer from colds on any given wintry day. The common cold is the most costly ailment in our country. The common cold is defined as an acute upper respiratory tract inflammation that ordinarily ordi-narily is communicable and is caused bv viruses. But this definition has little meaning since the popular use of the word "cold" includes everything every-thing from a minor sniffle and a nasal obstruction to a disabling dis-abling illness similar to influenza. in-fluenza. Current research seems to indicate that colds are harder to catch than has been thought. In controlled studies, close contact con-tact for several hours was necessary ne-cessary before cross infection occurred. Fresh colds appear to be more contagious than older ones, and children's colds have been shown to be more contagious than those of adults. Even apparently well persons may harbor cold viruses vi-ruses and may infect others. Low temperatures and inclement incle-ment weather, in themselves, probably have little to do with precipitating colds. There is a sharp rise in incidence of colds at the time the winter heating season begins. The lowered humidity in heated rooms causes the dry nose and throat which contributes to susceptibility to infection. The nose throat and lungs work better when the air that in breathed has a relative humidity humid-ity of about 45. No specific treatment, so far available, is effective against the cold virus. Any treatment must be directed di-rected toward relief of the svmptoms and prevention of complications. The wonder drugs antibiotics and sulfas have no effect on viruses. Bed rest, or at least inactivity in a controlled environment, is helpful. Your doctor may suggest sug-gest mild medication to help allay the discomfort. |
