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Show Wednesday, January 10, 2007 01 Expressions Gcwmunity vMendar sin Life del By Janine Shannon Express Writer -When sick with a cold, children chil-dren are frequently reminded to cover their mouth when they cough and their nose when they sneeze. This is good advice, but nonetheless, adults suffer from an average of two to three cases of the common cold each year, and children endure six to ten. But while colds are the most common sickness to inflict Jiiuman beings, there still is no cure, only symptom treatment. - Symptoms of the common cold require little explanation; the sneezing, sniffling, runny hose, nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing are discomforts dis-comforts experienced by even the healthiest individuals. Cold-causing Cold-causing viruses infect the upper respiratory system, namely the pose and throat Symptoms, which result from the body fighting the sickness, start to show one to two days after infection. infec-tion. What is less commonly known is exactly how the infection infec-tion is spread. X A cold virus is transmitted through droplets emitted by an infected person when he or she sneezes or coughs, hence the familiar parent reminder to "cover your mouth." These invisible droplets can survive in the air and on hard surfaces for hours after emitted. All a person has to do to contract the' cold is breathe the air or touch the surface, and then touch the face, where the virus settles in the nose, or sometimes in the eyes, and starts its work. The common cold is often confused with the influenza or flu, just as the flu is often confused with stomach flu. Influenza is also a respiratory infection caused by a virus, but unlike the common cold with a sore throat and runny nose, the flu is typically accompanied by fever, body aches, chills, head' ache, unproductive coughing, and often severe chest pain. If recognized within the first 48 hours, the flu may be combated combat-ed by antivirals, or prescription drugs that help stop the virus from replicating. Vaccines, of course, can prevent individuals individu-als from contracting the flu in the first place. Unfortunately, because there are hundreds of cold-causing viruses that can adapt to survive, antivirals and vaccines are impractical against the common cold. Without a cure, the best option to get over a cold is to help the body's immune system fight back. While wet feet cannot can-not make a person "catch cold," Dt. Shaun Shurtliff at Ashley Valley Medical Center said that such conditions can weaken the immune system and prevent the body from fighting an infection as efficiently. Stress can also have the same effect. So, once Naples Elementary first grade teacher Amy Gorum gives each student a squirt of anti-bacterial solution after they wash their hands. - 1820 West A Vernal, Utah Hwy.40,SteF U. 435-781-2500 Outstanding Aynti Outstanding Rwute Vl 0 First grade students at Naples Elementary School wash their hands before again, everything Mom said was true. To assist the immune system, sys-tem, drink lots of liquids, rest, take vitamin C, and eat healthy. The immune system will eventually rid the body of viral infection, but in the meantime, over-the-counter drugs can help stop leaking noses and soothe sore throats. Although studies on home and natural remedies are not conclusive, Shurtliff says to do what works for you. Without concrete evidence it is impossible to say whether some remedies make a difference, but many claim they do. Zinc lozenges, the herb Echinacea, and vitamin C, for example, may shorten the dura-. tion of a cold and lessen the severity. Zicam gels, lozenges, and nasal sprays, as well as Airborne tablets and lozenges, claim to get you over your cold faster if taken at the first sign of symptoms. Hot liquids and a moist environment envi-ronment are also thought to alleviate discomfort. Chicken soup and hot drinks may relieve Immaculate one level home. : ' 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, beautifully landscaped, 2 car detached shop: Call Mary Lou Dixon 790-0529 congestion, while steam from a hot, haftu, humidifier,, or pot , over the stove may helpear nasal passages. - Salt water is not a cure all, but it can reduce swelling in the throat when gargled and in the nasal passages when snuffed. Such saline solutions can help restore clear breathing. . Other old-time remedies like the hot toddy, a mixture of hot water, whiskey, lemon juice and honey, is said to reduce fever, relieve muscle aches, and have an anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membranes. Another, like the mustard plaster plas-ter placed on the chest, is said to help relieve chest congestion. Chamomile tea is supposed to be a natural sleep aid and garlic mixed with milk is supposed to shorten the duration of a cold. Shurtliff said that so far this year he has not seen many severe cases of the flu. The important thing is to pay attention atten-tion to symptoms to determine if it is a cold or the flu and to seek medical assistance if needed. With the common cold, a good rule of thumb is to wait three to five days and see a doctor doc-tor if not better by that time. Also, be aware that secondary second-ary infections can set in if the immune system becomes overwhelmed. over-whelmed. Pneumonia and sinus infections are bacterial infections infec-tions that generally will not go away without antibiotics. Avoid the common coldf . Limit contact with those infected with a cold, especially especial-ly during the first three days of their illness when they are most contagious , Wash hands frequently, especially after contact with objects and surfaces that may be contaminated Keep fingers out of the eyes, nose, and mouth going to lunch. ! j j? Dr. Shaun Shurtliff, in family practice at Ashley Valley Medical Center, said the best way to treat the common cold is by following Mom's orders to rest, drink liquids, and eat healthy The shelves at Smith's in Vernal, like with over-the-counter drugs to treat - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths Room for animals, water share included Call Sherry lessen 828-4663 at most grocery stores, are stocked, symtoms of the common cold. ' V- I December 13, 2006 through March 2007 The Utah Field House of Natural History is proud to announce a temporary exhibit of Ernest Untennann Sr. portraits. por-traits. The display will begin the week of December 13 and continue through March. Regular admission fees apply. For more information please contact the museum at (435)789-3799, or stop by at 496 E. Main St, VernaL January through August The Utah Field House of Natural History is hosting the Range Creek Archaeological Exhibit from now through August- The exhibit showcases some of the artifacts from the Range Creek Archaeological site, located in the Book Cliffs of Carbon and Emery counties. coun-ties. Please call the museum for more information at 435-789-3799 or stop by 496 East Main, VernaL UffS Wrestling at Union at 7 p.m. January 11 The Richest Man in Babylon Course will be held Jan. 11, 18, and 25 at 7 p.m. at the Uintah County Library. If you are broke and need help, this course is designed to teach thrift, financial planning and how to gain personal wealth. January 12 UHS will be holding the Wrestling . Tournament of Champions. UHS Girls basketball here against Morgan at 5:15 p.m. UHS Boys basketball here against Morgan at 7 p.m. poBgttunity dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8 to 10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides the music. January 13 Quilt Class will be held at the Uintah County Library from 1 to 5 p.m. ' January 15 A Community Bible Study will be held every Monday at 7p.m. at 3630 S. 1500 E. January 16 : PrimeTime 4 Kids Story Time and Lap time at 10:30 a.m. at the Uintah County Library. The Utah Music Teachers Association will be holding a meeting at 7:30 p.m. The topic will be "Building a Repertoire of Elementary Level Piano Pieces." All UMTA members, their friends and anyone else who is interested are invited to attend. It will be held at Jacqui King's home, 1550 S. 360 E. For more information, informa-tion, call UMTA President Carta Cleavinger, 781-1548, or Heather Stinson, 789-3378. , January 17 Uintah County Library Pre-Schoof Pre-Schoof tory Time will be held-.afl0:30, 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Songs, crafts, color pages and stories. All children preschool age are welcome. SpanjslvStory Time and Class to 6 p.m. January 18 Morning Glory Quilters - a quilting and hand-work group meet from 10 ajn. to 2 p.m. at Uintah County Library. Bring your quilting or hand work and a sack lunch. . '.January 19 Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8 to 10 p.m. every Friday night Kay's Band provides the music. To p,ltefts of public inter est in the Community Calendar, call 789-3511 or email them to editortvernalxom. House with updated kitchen, new. , roof. Fully landscaped beautifur yard. Call Charity Scott 790-2032 |