Colds..... (cold, viruses, cough, ears)

[dave nz]

Other than the obvious getting a chill or being too cold, what else exactly causes one to get a cold? at no stage today have I been too cold, or anywhere close, yet tonight find myself with a mild cold

[Viralmd]

Common colds are not caused by BEING cold or having a chill. They're caused by Rhinoviruses. It's that simple. They're more frequent in colder months because people are more likely to be indoors and others with a common cold sneeze, cough and otherwise spray the environment with the virus, where it's literally picked up on hands. The best way to prevent colds is to wash your hands frequently, try NOT to touch your face (it's amazing how often a person touches his/her face - all without thinking about it) and if you MUST sneeze or cough, do so into a handkerchief (if anyone uses them any more), a tissue or your sleeve. And then WASH your hands so nobody else gets your cold.

[grannynancy]

I THINK also that dry heat probably dries up your nasal passages which makes you more likely to catch a cold as they are not as efficient at protecting you.....

If you ever want to know how much you touch your face, work in a lab handling diagnstic specimens! You will become aware of it REAL FAST because the restraint can drive you crazy.

A good way to teach kids [and adults] to wash hands is to get them to sing through the alphabet song twice while doing it. Don't you hate it when you have to touch a handle to get out of a public bathroom that does not have paper towels! My dad was aggressive about germs and handwashing - somehting lost on this generation I think. He rarely caught a cold.

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by Viralmd

Common colds are not caused by BEING cold or having a chill. They're caused by Rhinoviruses. It's that simple. They're more frequent in colder months because people are more likely to be indoors and others with a common cold sneeze, cough and otherwise spray the environment with the virus, where it's literally picked up on hands. The best way to prevent colds is to wash your hands frequently, try NOT to touch your face (it's amazing how often a person touches his/her face - all without thinking about it) and if you MUST sneeze or cough, do so into a handkerchief (if anyone uses them any more), a tissue or your sleeve. And then WASH your hands so nobody else gets your cold.

Yep, when our 2nd son was in college he told us that there are 256 known strains of Rhinovirus known to affect humans. He said that every time you get a cold it's a different strain that you have no immunity built up for but you will never get that strain again 'cause your body builds defenses against each strain as you get them.

With 256 strains known that means there's always a "new" cold out there with your name in it!

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

Yep, when our 2nd son was in college he told us that there are 256 known strains of Rhinovirus known to affect humans. He said that every time you get a cold it's a different strain that you have no immunity built up for but you will never get that strain again 'cause your body builds defenses against each strain as you get them.

With 256 strains known that means there's always a "new" cold out there with your name in it!

Ahhh, there gotta be more than that cause I had at least that many as a kid.

Seriously, I haven't had a regular cold in years.