I came across an article that I had printed out for myself a year ago ..... and I would like to share the information with you. It was written by Tedd Mitchell, M.D. **and imho is information that can and should be reviewed by everyone yearly. I have copied verbatim the information from the article in its entirety:

CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, cooler weather DOESN'T CAUSE COLDS. More likely is the fact that we STAY INDOORS, GIVING VIRUSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD FROM PERSON TO PERSON . In addition, the cold months are associated with low humidity, and the dry air makes the nasal cavity more susceptible to bugs. CONSEQUENTLY, cases of cold and flu surge between now and spring ( THE AVERAGE ADULT GETS TWO TO FOUR RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS A YEAR; CHILDREN, EVEN MORE ). Because the season is upon us, it is worth revisiting a few cold and flu tactics.

PREVENTION: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE To prevent an infection, the best defense is a good offense. THE FIRST STEP IS TO LIMIT PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE COLD SUFFERER. YOU GET INFECTED BY COMING INTO CONTACT WITH A SICK PERSON'S SPUTUM -- I know it sounds gross, but believe me, those tiny particles go everywhere. SO WHEN SOMEONE WITH A COLD SNEEZES, COUGHS OR SNIFFLES, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE . Hugging, kissing and shaking hands are SURE WAYS TO GET SICK. This is no time to be touchy-feely. If you're the nurturing kind, send the sick person a postcard or e-mail. Call on the phone. Drop off chicken noodle soup. BUT FOR GOODNESS SAKE DON'T GET PHYSICAL.

Of course if the sufferer is a family member or a child, caring for him or her requires interaction. STILL MINIMIZE CONTACT, AND WASH YOUR HANDS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. Also LIMIT CONTACT WITH A COLD SUFFERER'S ENVIRONMENT. VIRUSES LIVE ON SURFACES LIKE TABLETOPS, DOORKNOBS AND COUNTER TOPS. A sick person's movement around the house SHOULD BE LIMITED. Think about clearly MARKING A SICK PERSON'S DRINKING GLASS AS OFF LIMITS BY PUTTING A RUBBER BAND AROUND IT. Simple ideas like these make sense; they keep everyone aware of how bugs spread.

COLD TREATMENT: TIME IS THE BEST HEALER So let's say you have done what you can, but you are developing SNIFFLES, A STUFFY NOSE, SNEEZING, A SORE THROAT, A COUGH -- AND PERHAPS FEVER, A HEADACHE AND MUSCLE ACHES.

Over the centuries, we have tried just about everything to treat a cold. Mexican Indians used sauna treatments. Ben Franklin was a proponent of the "cold air bath" (sitting naked in his study exposed to cold air). King Phillips II of Spain had doctors dig up a holy man's bones and put them in bed with his sick son as a remedy!. That chicken soup someone dropped off is as effective as anything, because what's really needed is THE TINCTURE OF TIME .

WHILE YOU'RE WAITING FOUR OR FIVE DAYS FOR A COLD TO GO AWAY -- DRINK LOTS OF LIQUIDS, GET PLENTY OF REST AND USE OVER THE COUNTER REMEDIES TO EASE THE SYMPTOMS. You might try:
DECONGESTANTS to open up airways and make breathing a bit easier. BUT THEY CAN ELEVATE BLOOD PRESSURE, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY HEART OR BLOOD PRESSURE PROBLEMS, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

COUGH MEDICINES to suppress MILD coughing. If a cough ISN'T BOTHERSOME, LEAVING IT ALONE can help clear secretions. SEVERE COUGHING NEEDS TO BE SUPPRESSED AND MAY REQUIRE PRESCRIPTION THERAPY.

EXPECTORANTS also called mucolytic agents, to "thin out" secretions, making them easier to clear.

ANALGESICS OR ANTIPYRETICS to reduce fever. FOR ADULTS THAT MEANS ASPIRIN, ACETAMINOPHEN OR IBUPROFEN. PEOPLE UNDER 19 SHOULDN'T TAKE ASPIRIN BASED COMPOUNDS. A CONDITION KNOWN AS REYE'S SYNDROME IS ASSOCIATED WITH ASPIRIN USE IN CHILDREN WITH VIRAL INFECTIONS. ALTHOUGH IT'S RARE, IT CAN BE FATAL, SO DON'T RISK IT.


DOWN WITH THE FLU: Influenza is rougher than a cold. FEVER IS HIGHER, HEADACHES AND MUSCLE PAINS ARE WORSE, AND COUGHING IS INTENSE. See your doctor if your symptoms are severe (for instance, a FEVER OVER 102 DEGREES) OR LOCALIZED (A BAD SORE THROAT, A COUGH THAT PRODUCES GREEN OR JUNKY BROWN STUFF), OR IF THE MISERY LASTS LONGER THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS. Also see your doctor if other symptoms (NAUSEA, DIARRHEA, VOMITING) OCCUR.

Your body may not be responding in a normal fashion, or you may have something else going on. YOUR DOCTOR CAN WORK WITH YOU ON THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION.

NOSING AROUND FOR THE FACTS Why isn't there a cold vaccine? COLDS ARE CAUSED BY DOZENS OF RHINOVIRUSES (from the Greek word "rhino," which means "nose"). Because there are so many forms of rhinoviruses, cold vaccinations are not available. ON THE OTHER HAND, influenza is caused by a FEW SPEICIFIC VIRUSES, so vaccinations are a primary tool in combating this illness. FYI: THIS YEAR'S VACCINE FIGHTS VIRAL STRAINS CALLED A/PANAMA, A/NEW CALEDONIA AND B/HONG KONG .

SHOULD I GET A FLU SHOT? DEFINITELY, IF YOUR HEALTH IS AT ALL FRAGILE. THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE OVER 65 AND THOSE WITH RECURRENT BRONCHITIS, IMMUNE SYSTEM OR HEART PROBLEMS, OR CHRONIC ILLNESSES, LIKE DIABETES. OCTOBER IS THE BEST TIME FOR THESE HIGH RISK FOLKS TO GET A SHOT. Anyone can get vaccinated. AVOID A SHOT IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO EGGS.

CAN I GET THE FLU IF I'VE HAD A SHOT? YEP. The vaccine protects 60% to 80% of those who get it.

CAN I GET THE FLU FROM A SHOT? NOPE. The vaccine is made from a killed virus. Some people DO GET A SLIGHT REACTION AT THE INJECTION SITE.

** Tedd Mitchell, M.D., directs the Wellness Program at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, is on the President's