I have a cold already! It isn’t even fall yet and I had the headache, sore throat, post nasal drip snot thing going on all week last week and this week I am coughing up a lung. I knew I was low on sleep and not really eating the best foods latley because I was low on cash, and sure enough there was a cold virus out there waiting for me on the train. Well maybe not the train. It is more likley the office. I have heard 5 other people coughing and clearing their throats this morning here, so its likley that I am not the only one with this latest greatest cold virus.

This particular strain started with 2 days of headaches which I didn’t think were illness at all. I thought they were from my dust allergy. Then it subsided a bit for a few days and then the throat started getting sore. Ewww. Next my coughing started because I had all this post nasal drip snot going on. I take allergy medications so my nose hasn’t been runny, but no one else here is blowing their nose either, so maybe this germ doesn’t have that symptom.  I hope after my 7-10 days fighting this virus I have a better immunity this winter. I had 6 colds last year and it sucked hard. I was sick the majority of the time from October to March. I would have 2 weeks sick and then one week well and then 2 weeks sick again. It was an awful 2006-2007. 

I am looking to be better prepared this year and avoid the colds more than catch them in 2007-2008. As far as curing the cold, no one has anything that really helps. Despite all the claims in the world, Claritin-D stops your nose from running, but the virus still needs it’s 7-10 days to be fought. Here are some ways I found in my searhc that should help prevent colds though. That seems to be the best thing I can find, or just never leave your house so you don’t get exposed to anything. It is said that these tips can reduce your colds from 8 a year to 3 per year. I certainly hope they help!

Here are five proven ways to reduce exposure to germs (cold viruses):

• Switch day care: Using a day care where there are six or fewer children dramatically reduces germ contact.
• Wash hands: Children and adults should wash hands at key moments — after nose-wiping, after diapering or toileting, before eating, and before preparing food.
• Use instant hand sanitizers: A little dab will kill 99.99% of germs without any water or towels. The products use alcohol to destroy germs. They are an antiseptic, not an antibiotic, so resistance can’t develop.
• Disinfect: Clean commonly touched surfaces (sink handles, sleeping mats) with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
• Use paper towels instead of shared cloth towels.

Here are seven ways to support the immune system:

• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics: The more people use antibiotics, the more likely they are to get sick with longer, more stubborn infections caused by more resistant organisms in the future.
• Breastfeed: Breast milk is known to protect against respiratory tract infections, even years after breastfeeding is done. Kids who don’t breastfeed average five times more ear infections.
• Avoid second-hand smoke: Keep as far away from it as possible! It is responsible for many health problems, including millions of colds.
• Get enough sleep: Late bedtimes and poor sleep leave people vulnerable.
• Drink water: Your body needs fluids for the immune system to function properly.
• Eat yogurt: The beneficial bacteria in some active yogurt cultures help prevent colds.
• Take zinc: Children and adults who are zinc-deficient get more infections and stay sick longer.