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CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
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01926.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK01926}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Of Surgical Masks and Cold Prevention}
$Subject{Surgical mask Masks Cold colds prevent Prevention preventions infect
infection infections virus viruses breath breathing droplet droplets sneeze
sneezing runny nose hand hands transmit transmitted transmitting transmission
respiratory system wash washing handkerchief handkerchiefs remedy remedies
hygiene}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Of Surgical Masks and Cold Prevention
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: I have a monster of a cold, drippy nose, sneezing and coughing and
all the rest. I also have three children, ages 7, 9 and 11, who seem to throw
these things off with little problem. I just want to protect them from my
infection. Do you think a mask like surgeons wear would help? I am willing
to take all the ribbing I will get if it is worth the effort.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: It most certainly is cold season, and your "monster" is only one of
the estimated 1 billion colds that the rest of us in this country will suffer
through this year. When you consider that there are more than 200 different
viruses that can cause all this misery, there is little wonder at the number.
Children do seem to do a bit better, but since they are more susceptible
to colds, they may get up to 10 colds per year. They just exchange different
viruses while at school, and each time fall victim to a different virus. Then
they bring them home to the family at home, and that is how you probably
caught your cold. It may be a bit late for you to "protect" your children.
The mask is a legitimate approach, for most colds are caught from
breathing in small, virus-filled droplets that float around in the air.
That's why it is so important to cover that sneeze. But many colds are
transmitted through the hands. The infected person touches the nose, or
sneezes into their hands, then touch an object around the home, leaving the
cold viruses behind. When the next person touches the object and then the
nose, the passage is made back into a new respiratory system. That means that
an important line of defense is to wash hands frequently, not merely before
meals or after using the bathroom, but a dozen or more times a day. Frequent
reminders to the children and your own washing routine can help reduce the
possibility of viral transmission. Use tissues instead of handkerchiefs, then
discard them promptly after use, maintain individual eating utensils, and keep
towels and wash cloths separate. And when a cold does hit, adding additional
rest periods and loads of fluids to your other cold remedies will help keep
your misery to a minimum.
----------------
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.