ot question

[Ruatha]

The best thing is just to ignore it, if you catch it you do. If you are otherwise healthy accept that you sometimes will get a cold.

The only people who should worry are those with immuno-deficiets and old otherwise sick people, i e chronic pulmonary disease.

There is so far no evidence of vitamin substitution having any effect on common cold, neither preventive nor to shorten the actual disease.
Some studies have shown that patients feel better while taking Vitamin C in very high doses (Vitamin C is never toxic, it's a water based vitamin) but there has been no objective test results showing any effect, but one shouldn't ignore the subjective feeling.
Nevertheless, it won't harm you, so feel free to use them.

Edit:As Fyron said, don't take to many of the "generic" vitamin pills that also contain lipid based vitamins that can be toxic if over-dosed, use pills that are only Vitamin-C if you are going for high dosage.

Eating a normal diet for the average person will give you enough vitamins, so supplements are not necessary unless recommended by your doctor (Very rare)

Ruatha (MD)

[ May 23, 2003, 10:53: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[Gryphin]

I guess I look at this a little more prgmaticaly.
Kids get colds. Adults get colds. Life happens.
Would they keep their children home from school if a classmate had a cold? If the children in question do come down with a cold who is to say weather they got it from you, on the school bus, or ......?

[dogscoff]

Yeah, I've got a bit of a cold or flu or something at the moment. When I get ill I generally nurse myself with the following:

-Lots of sleep.
-Keep warm. I also try to avoid things like paracetamol that reduce the symptoms. If you're running a mild temperature, there's a reason: It's because you can handle the heat better than the infection can- it's your body's way of combatting the illness. Of course if you hit a dangerously high temperature, that's a different story.
-Drink tea. It's the only time you'll ever catch me drinking tea. Tea is a natural antiseptic and it will help.
-watch out for air conditioning. and closed rooms. Aircon is notorious for spreading/ recycling bugs and stale old air won't do you any favours either. Don't open so many windows that you get cold though.
-Curry. If you can't handle a vindaloo, have a madras or a Chilli or whatever your upper limit is. Any spicy food will do, germs are lightweights- they just can't handle it=-) At the very least it will temporarily numb your throat to any pain you might be feeling.
-Whisky/ brandy/ both. For similar reasons.

Oh, and here's a handy recipe that you'll appreciate when you've got a runny nose and sore throat:
1> Put the kettle on.
2> Cut a lemon or two in half and squeeze the juice into a jug.
3> Add a few large spoonfuls of honey.
4> add brandy (or whisky if you have no brandy)
5> chuck in a few eucalyptus throat lozenges
6> Top up with boiling water, stir until everything has dissolved.
7> add more honey or some sugar to taste.

Watch out if you're already taking paracetamol or aspirin- they don't mix so well with the alcohol=-)

Trust me, that will make you feel a lot better=-)

[ May 23, 2003, 11:48: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

[Gryphin]

You may or may not want to skip alcahole. It kills white blood cells.

It does make you feel better.

[oleg]

Originally posted by Gryphin:
You may or may not want to skip alcahole. It kills white blood cells.

...

Nonsense. The best cure for cold: buy a bottle of vodka and some Jalopenos pepper. Cut pepper and put it into the botlle. Let it dissolve for a day (you may cut the time if you are desperate).
Then drink in a big gulp. Next morning you will be a new man !

[Ruatha]

Alcohol won't cure you a bit, neither will it have an noticable disadvantages concerning the cold (unless you take too much or you have to go out and it's very cold (read canada, alaska, scandinavia etc on the winter)).

It may very well make you feel better though, not to disregard

[ May 23, 2003, 17:01: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[narf poit chez BOOM]

my reason for avioding colds is i'm tired of getting them, it's like i've got a cold magnet or something. they say there's 300 of them, and i think the only reason i'm getting less is i've had 150.
i'll be sure to tell my sis about peppers.
thanks, your all way more helpfull than i even asked for. pat yourselves on the back, and don't dislocate your shoulders.