It's Friday once again! It's been in some ways, a long week. We've all been fighting a cold here. My other half ended up in the hospital (catch and release) because his went into bronchitis. So I thought I'd share some myths about the common cold and flu... and some that may not be myths.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
Ok, we do have a diary schedule. But, when you are ready to write that diary, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMOM a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FloridaSNMOM is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday:
BadKitties
Tuesday:
bigjacbigjacbigjac
Wednesday:
Caedy
Thursday:
weck
Friday:
FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:
broths
Sunday:
loggersbrat
According to health.com Chicken soup may actually help reduce inflammation and may make you feel better if you have a cold.
They also state that going outside with wet hair won't cause a cold, or make you more susceptible, unless it's cold enough to cause hypothermia because of it. I don't think it would be very comfortable or wise either way.
According to WebMD
You can't get swine flu from eating pork, so there is no need to give up bacon.
While antibiotics can't fight the flu (it's viral not bacterial) there ARE two treatments for the flu that are effective if taken early:
Two antiviral drugs are highly effective against the flu: Tamiflu, in pill form, and Relenza, which is inhaled. These drugs are most effective if taken within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms. But the drugs are beneficial even if taken 48 hours after symptom onset.
The flu can be dangerous for anyone, not just the elderly or the young. 90% of deaths from swine flu have been in people under 65.
Several sites mention "Feed a cold, starve a fever".
For both a cold and fever you want to increase fluids, and eat well balanced meals of appropriate caloric intake. Dieting or not eating right while you have a cold can actually prolong the cold.
The best method to prevent a cold: Wash your hands and avoid others with colds as much as possible. Going outside in the cold will not cause you to get a cold, and it can actually help prevent them because most colds are passed indoors because people avoid going out in the winter.
So get out, enjoy the winter, and avoid the common cold.