ot question

[narf poit chez BOOM]

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

[Loser]

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

I think...

[Phoenix-D]

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.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

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

[Fyron]

It is generally a good idea to give your threads more descriptive topics (eg: "ot question: colds").

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 ).

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.

[Taera]

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

[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 ]

[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 !