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How to Prevent the Common Cold

Question:
I loose two weeks of work from colds this time of year. How can I keep them from lasting so long?

Answer:
Excellent question! The change of seasons always weakens the immune system. The most common effects of this are colds and flus. For this discussion, I will focus on shortening the duration of the common cold. The cold is associated with the rhinovirus. The organism is not very virulent, so it requires a susceptible host to cause symptoms. Probably the most important thing to do to shorten the duration is rest. I often tell people that they can take a few days off now or have several weeks of being unproductive. Along with rest, we know that staying hydrated will lessen the severity of symptoms. Drink more water if your urine is at all yellowish.

For food during a cold, don't feel a need to eat if you are not hungry. Take in lightly cooked vegetables and grains with lean protein. Soups are great.

Avoid congestive foods like dairy foods, sweets, and excessive fats.

I know what you're thinking: "OK, great - but what can I take?"

• Echinacea (pronounced ek ah nay' sha) has been shown in several studies to shorten a cold by as much as 40%. Look for the fresh juice of the whole plant.
• Vitamin C has also been shown to reduce both severity and duration of colds at doses from 500 mg. - 3000 mg. daily.
• One of the most effective remedies in my experience is Yin Chao tea or tablets. These can be made by a Chinese herbalist or purchased in prepared form from health food stores or oriental grocery stores. Each vial full of tablets is one dose. Normally two doses are taken daily for the duration of the cold. In the first few days, Yin Chao can usually stop the cold in its tracks.
• Do not take antibiotics for a cold. Some doctors still prescribe them to prevent a bacterial infection. Since secondary infection is uncommon, the side effects and possibilities of producing drug resistant bacteria in your body make this a poor idea.
• If a cold does persist more than a few weeks, or if you have high fevers (100), difficulty breathing, or thick yellowish mucous, see your doctor.

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When therapies offer no harm and much possible benefit, why not give them a chance before those with definite harm?

Dr. Alan Christianson