Our beautiful fall weather unfortunately signals the beginning of cold and flu season. Colds are most common in late fall, winter, and early spring. Nutrients and supplements may help reduce the number and severity of colds. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are thought to reduce the duration of colds. Lozenges and nasal sprays containing zinc gluconate have been used to shorten colds. Echinacea and garlic are used for their immune system boosting properties. Even chicken soup has been shown to have positive effects on cold symptoms!

Colds are viral infections that affect millions of people every year. Rhinoviruses cause 80% of colds. Other cold-causing viruses include coronavirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Familiar cold symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. About a third of colds involve a cough.

Colds and flu usually last about a week. About a fourth of all colds may last two weeks or more. Cold viruses are easily transmitted in tiny droplets of water. Viruses are able to survive a short time outside of the body on surfaces such as doorknobs and telephones, which contributes to their rapid spread. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your mouth and face to reduce your chance of acquiring a cold. Avoidance, adequate rest, and good nutrition are the best means of avoiding a cold.

The flu is also caused by viruses. Influenza viruses can be identified early and vaccines produced to reduce the chance of infection. People over 50 years old, residents of long-term care or nursing facilities, patients over 6 months old with asthma or respiratory illness, patients over 6 months old with metabolic illness such as diabetes, women who will be more than 3 months pregnant during flu season, and youth 6 to 18 who must be on aspirin therapy and at risk for Reye's syndrome if they get the flu should be vaccinated. Also people who work with at-risk populations, such as hospital workers, should be vaccinated. People who have critical jobs, such as firemen or policemen, may also want to consider vaccination. People who are severely allergic to eggs or who have had a reaction to the vaccine in the past should not be vaccinated.

To reduce your risk of cold or flu, avoid smoking and smokers. Exposure to cigarette smoke increases the duration of a cold. Older patients should avoid people that are ill, eat fresh foods, and get plenty of rest to reduce their risk. Pregnant women should take a prenatal vitamin as well as follow the aforementioned avoidance patterns. People should also avoid the use of alcohol. Alcohol causes zinc depletion. Zinc supplementation may be helpful if you do drink alcohol. Children are most likely to catch colds and flu because they are frequently exposed to viruses at school or daycare. Teach children healthy habits such as frequent hand washing and healthy eating to reduce their risk of illness. Homeopathic lollipops, lozenges, or nasal sprays may help shorten colds in children.

Reference: Good Science Better Nutrition, vol. 5 no. 6, November-December 2001.

TAOS PHARMACY BELIEVES THAT IT IS BETTER TO PREVENT ILLNESS THAN TO TREAT IT. VISIT TAOS PHARMACY FOR YOUR NUTRITIONAL AND PREVENTION NEEDS. 2003 FLU VACCINE IS AVAILABLE AT TAOS PHARMACY ON ORDER BY YOUR DOCTOR. ALL VITAMINS/NUTRITIONALS ARE 10% OFF ON TUESDAYS AND HERBS/HOMEOPATHICS ARE 10% OFF ON WEDNESDAYS.

[Return to Archive Index]

[PageTop]