$Unique_ID{BRK01373}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Does the Body Ever Develop Some Type of Immunity to the Cold Bug?}
$Subject{colds virus immunity infections pulmonary respiratory system cold bug
viral viruses rhinoviruses nose common infection prevention antihistamines
decongestants ibuprofen acetaminophen aspirin immune systems  rhinovirus}
$Volume{A-6, H-6, U-6}
$Log{
Cell-Mediated Immunity*0004602.scf
Symptoms of the Common Cold*0008502.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Does the Body Ever Develop Some Type of Immunity to the Cold Bug?


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QUESTION:  With the change of seasons with us, I know I will be heading for
the time of year in which I get one dreaded cold after another.  Doesn't the
body ever develop some type of immunity to the darned bug?  There must be some
way to avoid the nuisance of a runny nose that won't stop and the problems
that go with a cold.  Provide your readers with an answer to this question and
you will be doing them a true service.

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ANSWER:  If it were but a single virus that caused the common cold, we might
all soon develop the immunity necessary to prevent it from recurring.  The
problem is that there are over 200 different viruses, more than half of which
are rhinoviruses ("rhino" from the Greek word meaning "nose") all capable of
producing the symptoms which we diagnose as resulting from the "common cold".
So it is highly likely that each new cold you develop comes from an infection
with another virus.  And despite continuing research, the prevention of these
episodes is not likely to be developed for quite some time.  However, you
might want to incorporate a few simple precautions in your own life that may
help you avoid at least some of your infections.  Simply stated, the best way
to prevent a cold is to stay away from people that have them.  And that
includes youngsters, who seem to have colds more frequently than adults.
Since the virus is transmitted by touching, avoid touching objects that may
have been contaminated by someone with a cold.  Washing your hands carefully
with soap and water during the cold season will certainly help.  Keeping your
hands and fingers away from your eyes and nose is another method of avoiding
the transmission of the virus to your system.  Keep physical and emotional
stress to a minimum.  It's clear your genes are of no help, for it has been
reported that as much as 5 percent of the population never get a cold, a
situation attributed to a greater immunity conferred upon them by their
ancestors.  When a cold does strike, the advice of plenty of liquids, rest,
and the use of antihistamines and decongestants to control the symptoms,
ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin (for adults) to control the aches is still
valid in the absence of any true cure.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.