ot question
 

anybody know how long a common cold is infectious? i looked some, but didn't find anything.

Re: ot question
 

You can spread a virus for as long as you have it, possibly longer than you actually suffer the symptoms.

I think...

Re: ot question
 

As long as you have it, yes. Gennerally the spread is the most right before you start expressing majorly, though (IIRC)

No way to tell when its 100% gone, if it ever is.

Re: ot question
 

not me, someone and there kids i want to visit soon.
thanks

Re: ot question
 

It is generally a good idea to give your threads more descriptive topics (eg: "ot question: colds"). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

You can still infect others with a virus long after the symptoms have died down (relatively long, anyways; depends on the nature of the virus). Some of the symtpoms from common virii like colds are actually part of your immune system's reaction to the invasion. I know that fevers are usually caused by the body raising it's temperature so that the white blood cells can work more effeciently (though so do the invading entities http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

I think that a common cold is not infectious for too long after the symtpoms go away, though I do not know how long it takes.

Generally, maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet will allow your immune system to operate at peak effeciency, and can allow it to prevent an infection in the first place. It will also allow the infection to be fought off more quickly. Daily vitamin supplements can help, but you have to be careful not to take too many vitamin pills, as too many can actually do more harm than good. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: ot question
 

common cold is infectious for about one week AFTER you feel better. that is, if memory serves.

Re: ot question
 

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 ]

Re: ot question
 

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 ......?

Re: ot question
 

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 ]

Re: ot question
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">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 !

Re: ot question
 

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 http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

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

Re: ot question
 

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

It does make you feel better.

Re: ot question
 

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. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
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. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: ot question
 

I did not say that vitamins will prevent you from ever getting a cold. But, vitamins are essential to the operation of your immune system. A deficiency of vitamins will cause your immune system to operate at less than peak efficiency. A balanced diet (food pyramid anyone? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ) gives you all the vitamins you'll ever need.

Re: ot question
 

my mom eats raw onions when she has a cold. i think she intimidates the virii into leaving. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: ot question
 

My wife forces me to take strange distasteful things when I get a cold (Ginko biloba, Echinacea purpurea etc).

To her it would seem as it works as I now try very much to hide it if I get a cold as I don't want that puke provoking stuff! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
And when I get a cold she just have to threaten with it to make me better http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: ot question
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah ! That is my idea too why vodka ca be so helpfull: no bug can live in pure 40% C2H5OH http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ May 25, 2003, 23:47: Message edited by: oleg ]

Re: ot question
 

((NOT TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE ON THE NEXT PARAGRAPH - ONLY SPECULATIONS))
alcohol is a bad idea for when you're having anything stronger than mild cold/infection because it acts on your blood system and heart - which are already working on emergency regime. you need all the blood you can get and dont want to load your liver with additional load.

as for the rest, onions and garlic are very strong natural antiviral medicines - as a matter of fact if you have a flu going in a house you can put garlic to a few corners and that'll make things harder on the bug. onions help sustain current illnesses and helps your immune system.

but the best cure is rest http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: ot question
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ha-hmm. That' the textbook recipe against vampires. Are you sure you had the diagnosis right ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: ot question
 

well, vampires fly.