Do you have a Cold, or is it something else?

Tis the season to be Jolly, and also to catch an illness!  Yes, it’s that time of year again when Colds and Flu bugs run rampant.  Catch a cold and you end up with three or four days of sore throat, stuffy nose, watery eyes and perhaps “Head Bangers” pounding away to keep you feeling otherwise just plain “Blaaaa”.

But if you find you start getting that heavy feeling in your chest.  Taking a deep breath actually can cause a bit of discomfort or even pain.  You may be a victim of RSV.  RSV, otherwise known in the medical system as Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which in a healthy person can last a good week or two before starting to clear away.  RSV also causes a condition known as bronchiolitis, which is inflammation or swelling of the small airways deep inside your lungs.  This can also lead to pneumonia (fluid in the lungs) in small children or older adults. 

So, what to do?   First and formost, “WASH YOUR HANDS”.  Yes the simple act of washing your hands frequently has been proven to be one of the best protections from getting sick.  If you get the germs off your hands by washing, then they will not be there the next time you rub your nose, or pick at that piece of fuit stick between your teeth, or just rub your eyes after a long time staring at that desk computer. 

But I did that and still got sick you say.  Well, if it’s a cold, your standard over the counter cold medicine will help make you feel more comfortable and try to get plenty of rest.  That means heading to bed for at least a good eight hours of sleep and not staying up to see what’s on after the news.  I know you do this.  I do.

But, if you start getting any of those breathing issues, or start running high fevers, you better get yourself in to see your doctor.  Though there is not much they can do about a virus, they can really help you fight off an infection that could result as a side effect of everything else.

So, I wish you well over this winter season.  And don’t forget to “Wash Your Hands”!

People keep wondering, “How long does a cold last”?

  Seems like the number of people wondering about how long a cold lasts is increasing each week.  I suppose that with Winter approaching, cold season will soon be upon us.  According to some hospital staff I know, the typical cold will last anywhere from 3 to 5 days.  If it lasts longer than this and you start having shortness of breath, or continued low grade fevers (99-101), you likely have contracted a respiratory infection, compliments of your neighborhood “Cold”. 

   The next question is usually, “how do you avoid getting a cold”?  The best answer is “Wash your hands”.  The next best  answer is “Wash your hands”!  If you see a trend, I think you are catching on.  Aside from staying far away from people with colds, washing your hands is the best way to reduce your exposure to common germs.  A side benefit of washing you hands is that you will reduce your odds of catching a flu virus at the same time. 

   If you do catch a cold, get some rest, if at all possible.  This may only mean only being able to head to bed early.  Like many of you, I really need the money, and as such do not like to miss too much work.  Do drink lots of fluids (water is great).  Take some of your favorite pain & fever reliever to stay comfortable and try not to overexert if you can.  Most bosses will understand you moving a little slower if you say you’ve caught a cold, but feel well enough to work.  But, if all else fails, head home and crawl into bed and make up for all those hours of sleep you’ve been missing all week.  Hope you feel better soon.