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Why isn't there a vaccination for the common cold?
This page contains four articles about colds and the flu.
- Common Cold Vaccinations
- Help Your Health Nip that cold and flu in the bud
- Cold and flu prevention for seniors
- How to tell if it's a cold or flu
All four articles are courtesy of News Canada. For more information on News Canada, please see the bottom of this page.
Common Cold Vaccinations
Millions of school days and workdays are missed every year across North America, due to illness caused by the "common cold". School-aged children can suffer up to 12 colds a year and adults average two to four colds, or more if they care for children. So why can't medical science develop a vaccination for this very common illness?
"The problem is that there are far too many different viruses causing the common cold," said Dr. Jacqueline Shan, discoverer of the leading cold and flu preventative, Cold-fX. "Catching a cold once won't protect you from a future cold because it is likely caused by a different virus. There are over 200 known cold viruses in the world and not a vaccine available for any one of them."
This means we will likely be catching colds for a very long time, so here's what we can do:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using warm water and soap all over the hands, fingers and under fingernails. Wash for at least 15 seconds.
- Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth. Most bacteria and germs enter from these areas.
- Strengthen your immune system with balanced meals, enough sleep, and with a natural booster, like Cold-fX that has been endorsed by countless professional and amateur athletes across the country. Ten years of clinical studies suggest that this one product, offers a broad spectrum of anti-viral properties by enhancing the natural viral-fighting mechanism of our immune cells, with no adverse side effects and no interaction with the flu shot. In one FDA regulated trial it was shown to reduce the risk of colds and flu up to 89 percent. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, you can increase the dosage to help combat the virus before it takes hold.
- Drink more water. You might not be thirsty, but it is easy to get dehydrated in the winter if you don't make a point of drinking eight glasses of water a day.
- Exercise regularly. Maintain an exercise program at least three or four days each week. Consistency is key.
"The immune system is our internal defence mechanism protecting us against germs like viruses, bacteria and fungi," said Dr. Shan. "Many factors in our daily lives such as stress, fatigue, travel and exposure to illness weaken our defences, making us more prone to infection. Clinical studies indicate that taking matters into your own hands will go a long way to keep you healthy."
With the recent outbreak of Mumps in the United States, the debate over vaccinations has been reawakened. Are vaccinations safe? Do children and babies need so many? Read more in
this article on the Baby Safety Lessons website.
Help Your Health Nip that cold and flu in the bud
The immune system is a powerful force - and its efficiency comes in handy when we feel the first signs of a cold or flu coming on. To win the war against all those winter germs measures can be taken to keep the immune system strong, or to give it a boost at the first sign of symptoms.
"It is fascinating how the body's cells, tissues and organs work together to fight bacteria and viruses," said Canadian cold and flu expert Dr. Jacqueline Shan. "Blood vessels, skin, tears, even the hairs in your nose are all part of your immune system." Here is a glimpse at how your immune system works - and what you can do to help it:
How the body protects us
- Skin keeps many harmful germs from entering your body, tears keep germs from entering your eyes, and throat cells collect germs that sneak through your mouth.
- Blood vessels carry antibodies and white blood cells that fight disease. Some cells recognize organisms or substances that don't belong in the body. Others cells mark the invaders, while still other cells prepare for the actual attack.
- Your immune system attacks in several ways. Carried by the blood, special proteins and antibodies identify and destroy invading germs. The immune system also sends out killer T cells which attach to and kill host cells in which viruses live.
"You can strengthen your immune system with balanced meals, enough sleep, and with a natural supplement, like Cold-fX," said Dr. Shan. "Ten years of clinical trials have demonstrated that this product stimulates the immune system and enhances its ability to fight viruses. In one FDA regulated trial it was shown to reduce the risk of colds and flu up to 89 percent. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, you can increase your dosage to help combat the virus before it takes hold."
Cold and flu prevention for seniors
Canadian seniors need more than a flu shot to keep winter illness bugs away. Several studies over the last 40 years confirm that the flu vaccine is 28 to 50 percent effective for people 65-plus, depending on circumstances. As a result, seniors suffer 90 percent of the deaths caused by flu complications.
"It is true that the flu vaccine is not as effective in seniors as we would like," said Canadian cold and flu expert, Dr. Jacqueline Shan. "Regrettably, it doesn't offer protection from potential new strains of flu during the season, and as for other germs, there is no vaccine available against common cold viruses."
Prevention is the best option experts agree, which in addition to the annual flu shot, includes reducing risks and exposure with the following pro-active measures:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using warm water and soap all over the hands, fingers and under fingernails. Wash for at least 15 seconds.
- Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth. Most bacteria and germs enter through these areas.
- Strengthen your immune system with balanced meals, enough sleep, and with a natural booster. One example is celebrity senior Don Cherry's favourite booster - Cold-fX. Ten years of clinical studies has shown it enhances the natural viral-fighting mechanism of our immune cells with no known side effects or interaction with the flu shot. In one FDA regulated trial, Cold-fX was shown to reduce the risk of colds and flu up to 89 percent. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, you can also increase the dosage to help combat the virus before it takes hold.
- Drink more water. You might not be thirsty, but it is easy to get dehydrated in the winter if you don't make a point of drinking eight glasses of water a day.
- Exercise regularly. Maintain an exercise program at least three or four days each week. Consistency is key.
"The immune system is our internal defence mechanism protecting us against germs like viruses, bacteria and fungi," said Dr. Shan. "Many factors in our daily lives such as stress, fatigue, travel and exposure to illness weaken our defences, making us more vulnerable to infection - this is especially true for seniors. Clinical studies indicate that taking matters into your own hands will go a long way to keeping you healthy."
Does your child have the sniffles? Here's how to tell if it's a cold or flu
Does winter mean a constant battle of trying to prevent your child from getting sick? Chances are, it does.
Children have a weaker immune system than adults, so they tend to become ill more frequently. For example, on average, kids can contract 6 to 10 colds each year. Environments like classrooms and daycares - where kids tend to spend most of their time - only help to spread viruses.
The 'common cold' is a viral infection of the lining of the nose, throat and chest. Typical symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, fever, congestion and a sore throat. Generally, a cold will last about one week or less.
A flu, on the other hand, is caused by an infection of the lower respiratory tract, brought on by the influenza virus. This virus can change from year to year so immunization needs to be repeated annually. The flu tends to come on more quickly than a cold and includes symptoms such as a high fever, cough and body aches. Children usually feel sicker with a flu bug and it can last from a few days up to two weeks.
If your child has a cold or flu, acetaminophen products, such as the family of Children's Tylenol products, can help relieve symptoms and make your child feel more comfortable. If your child's symptoms persist or appear to worsen, contact their doctor immediately.
To help ensure that you are giving your child the proper dose of pain and fever reducing medication, visit the Tylenol website.
News Canada
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