HEALTH NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 647, 26 April 1929, Page 16

HEALTH NOTES

COMMON COLDS I PREVENTION AND TREATMENT j (Contributed by the Department of Health.) With the advent of winter more people probably suffer from common colds than from any other single ailment. The importance of the so-called common cold is therefore obvious. The condition itself is unwisely considered so trifling that vigorous individuals usually do not permit the disease to hamper their daily pursuits, | and in consequence promiscuous association continues without precautions. The result is that colds which are infectious usually go through families, schools and business groups, and rapidly become scattered in many different small epidemics throughout the city communities. Could the sum total of suffering, inconveniences, sequelae and economic loss resulting from common colds be obtained, it might well show that in this respect \ this simple malady is more important than many graver conditions. In fact, the prevention of the spread of the j common cold would have much colla- i teral good in aiding the suppression of tuberculosis and causing a diminution of pneumonia and other infections. Neglected Colds The risk of neglected colds are twofold —to the individual and to the community at large. In the firstplace, there is considerable danger of the cold producing more serious infections, such as bronchitis, laryngitis and broncho-pneumonia. Secondly, during the course of the condition of sneezing, coughing and spitting there occurs an indiscriminate scattering of saliva and nasal and bronchial mucus. This results in an interchange of mouth and throat bacteria of a dangerous nature among the population, and the consequent increase of the “carrier” problem. There are two kinds of common colds —the cold caught from -other people and the one contracted e\ en though colds are not prevalent in the population. People who have adenoids or diseased tonsils or are run down are likely to have either kind. Very few colds would develop into serious illness if the person who has the cold were wise enough to take proper care of himself the first day or two. Rest in bed if possible, or at least indoors, is advisable, if the victim feels weak, as weakness may be a sign of in- j fluenza. A laxative should be taken. Plenty of cold water should be taken, and a light amount of simple, nourishing food. Breathing steam or using a salt-water nasal douche, if the doctor advises it, may relieve the “stoppedup” feeling. At night before going to bed a hot bath, or at least a hot foot bath, is recommended. After drying, the sufferer should be covered upon in bed with extra blankets, so as to “sweat the cold out of the system.” A hot drink, such as lemon, assists perspiration. When besides the general symptoms of a cold, fever occurs, and the back of the legs ache badly, probably influenza is indicated, and a doctor’s advice should be immediately sought. Protection of Children Common colds are frequently followed by pneumonia. This is particularly true in very young children. Now the question comes, what can be done to protect these children? Since all colds, coughs and other diseases of the air passages are catching, it follows that the same precautions against infection should be followed with these common disorders as -with the more serious disorders. While It is difficult to prevent colds entirely, there are certain things which should always be done. It is important to keep the germs of this disease from getting into the mouth and nose. Older children can be taught to wash the hands carefully immediately before eating, and to keep their hands and all things which may have been handled by others away from the mouth and nose. Infants, of course, will put their hands into their mouths, but it is not necessary to give them much handled articles. Using one’s own handkerchief to wipe a baby’s nose is dangerous, as is the practice of some mothers of tasting the baby’s food, then handing the child the same spoon. It is important to keep the rooms of the house at a moderate temperature. Air in the winter time is much drier than at other seasons, especially if the rooms are kept too warm, and is more irritating to the membranes of the air passages. Babies and young children need sunlight as well as older people. Do not keep a well child indoors just because it is cold out of doors. Protect the baby well, and put him out where he will get the sunlight. If a child has a cold it is safest to keep him in bed for a few days until the acute stage is past. Keep all dishes and other articles used by the patient separate, and boil or otherwise disinfect them before their use by others. In other words, colds should be considered contagious, and the same sort of care taken as with epidemic diseases. General Advice Keep the body built up by eating nourishing food, observing regular sleeping hours, exercising outdoors in the sunshine and drinking plenty of water daily. Train the skin to stand changes in temperature by frequent bathing. Wear sensible clothing. Breathe through the nose. Air is filtered as it passes along the nasal passages on its way to the lungs. See a doctor if difficulty of breathing through the nose is experienced. Live and work in well ventilated rooms. Finally, if you have a cold see that you do not convey it to others by personal neglect of simple precautionary measures, for there is no reason why a cold should spread through a home if these measures are observed. The individual who coughs and sneezes over the other occupants in a tram or place of public gathering is deliberately spreading infection and endangering the health of the commun-