Sniffing out answers
Tedd Mitchell, M.D.

Here we are, right smack in the middle of winter, settled into routines and waiting for spring. Then it happens. Your child comes home from school with sniffles. Nagging questions enter your mind. Is it a cold? The flu? Is it from the kid at school? Will we all get it? Do I need to take her to the doctor? Will she need antibiotics? Should she miss school? Will I miss work?

As I see it, these questions about respiratory infections are important.

Q: How do I keep from getting sick? First, keep your body shipshape so you can fight off any germs you are exposed to. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day; the more the better, especially those rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C. Regular exercise is important for general health, but remember that excessive exercise has been shown to weaken the immune system, increasing your risk of infection. And stay calm. Studies show an increased risk of infections among stressed-out people.

Second, wash your hands! That's how my father - a retired ear, nose and throat doctor who saw scads of people with respiratory infections - stayed well. Use any good soap; don't fret over "antibacterials." And don't touch your own face after contact with a sick person. Touching delivers germs near your mucous membranes, helping the bug get into your system.

A myth: Cold weather does not cause infections. Yes, most colds occur in winter, but that's because we stay indoors, exposed to others who are sick. Plus, typically dry cold weather removes moisture from our airways, making them more susceptible to infection.

Q: If I get sick, how can I feel better? The sooner you treat a cold the better! New prescription-only drugs shorten viral infections but must be taken in the first 24 hours of developing symptoms. And while some small studies indicate that colds can be shortened a bit by the over-the-counter supplements vitamin C, zinc and echinacea, they also must be used early on.

The mainstay treatment for colds is still over-the-counter medicine for the symptoms. That means aspirin or Tylenol for headaches; antihistamines for sneezing and itchy eyes, throat or nasal passages; decongestants for nasal stuffiness; and cough suppressants. These medicines make you feel better while the infection goes away by itself.

Listen to your body and give it the rest it needs. A tried-and-true rule of thumb: Don't exercise if your symptoms are more than minor or are below the neck (muscle aches, stomachache, a cough). If the symptoms are limited to nasal congestion and other complaints above the neck, limited exercise is okay.

Get plenty of fluids, particularly hot, steaming fluids such as chicken soup! Other ways to soothe tissues: Gargle with warm salt water, use nasal washes or take cough drops.

Q: When should I see the doctor? Fortunately, most people recover from infections on their own in a few days. But certain people are at higher risk of complications, including very young children, the elderly, people in hospitals and nursing homes, and people whose immune systems are weak. In general, if your symptoms are severe or prolonged, diagnostic tests are needed. Your doctor will evaluate the severity of your illness and check for possible complications and the presence of other illnesses that mimic colds (such as asthma, sinusitis and allergies).

Folks, we're not out of the woods with infections this winter. Keep your guard up. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of Robitussin.

Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is the medical director of Cooper Wellness Program at the renowned Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas. He is also the vice president and associate medical director of Cooper Clinic. His medical practice focuses on health maintenance and disease prevention through physical fitness and proper nutrition. In June 2002, Dr. Mitchell was appointed by President Bush to serve on The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

An active researcher and author, he has published dozens of studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals and serves as both a columnist and medical editor for USA Weekend, which appears in 600 newspapers nationwide and has a circulation of more than 46 million readers. He is co-author of the book Fit to Lead. In addition to his writing, he also lectures extensively to both lay and scientific groups.

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