How to freeze a cold in its tracks

Dear Dr. Peg,

It seems like everyone I know has a cold. Is there anything I can do so I don't get sick? Does Airborne work?

It is definitely cold season. Coughers and sneezers are at every turn. Why now? This time of the year, the weather is cold, so we close the windows, turn up the heat and stay indoors together. We also pack into planes, trains and automobiles for holiday trips. All this togetherness makes it easy for the germs to pass from person to person.

To answer your question, yes - there are some things you can do to increase your chances of staying healthy. First thing's first: basic body maintenance. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. Exercise regularly. Don't party too hard. Your body's immune system needs the basics in order to function at maximum capacity.

Next, think about how colds happen. A cold is caused by one of the more than 200 viruses. A virus is a kind of germ, and cold viruses are contagious. The virus is passed from person to person in droplets of respiratory secretions. That's a nice way of saying mucous. It gets into your respiratory tract one of two ways: Either you breathe it in, or you touch something that has the virus on it, then touch your face. Cold viruses can live outside the body for up to a couple of days. They live longest on smooth surfaces, such as doorknobs and phone receivers.

Given this knowledge, do what you can to avoid getting the dreaded germ. Stay out of crowded and close spaces. If you know someone who is sick, don't touch them or anything they have touched. Wash your hands a lot, especially before eating. The most common way to get sick is from your hands to your nose or mouth, so try to keep your hands away from your face as a rule.

If your nasal tract is dry, it is a little damaged, which makes it easier for viruses to penetrate. Indoor heating dries the air out. You can use saline nasal spray and a humidifier in your bedroom to help keep your mucous membranes moist.

If, in spite of your best efforts, a cold does catch you, there are some things you can do to nip it in the bud. First, a disclaimer: Some of these are more scientifically studied than others, but all have been recommended by reliable sources.

Echinacea is an herb that has been shown in some studies to cut a cold short. You can get it in pill or liquid form. Start it as soon as you get any cold symptoms, and take the maximum suggested dose - same thing with zinc, which is in several cold formulations such as Airborne and Zicam. Other herbs that are used to treat colds are astragalus and andrographis. You can find these at The Herb Store. Vitamin C has gone in and out of favor as a treatment for colds, but I'll tell you that I use it when I start to sniffle, along with echinacea, and it works for me.

If you're looking for a dietary remedy, garlic is a favorite. You can even get it in pill form, although eating it raw has the added benefit of keeping potential other victims away from you. Yin Ciao is a Chinese herbal medicine touted for colds.

All of these remedies are recommended for early intervention. In other words, take them as soon as you get cold symptoms. You might stop the cold in its tracks, or you might make your cold shorter and less severe.

Sometimes, the germ wins anyway, and you join the ranks of the "Seven Cold Dwarves:" Sneezy, Coughy, Drippy, Hacky, Achey, Stuffy and Hoarse. If this happens, get some rest, drink lots of liquids, and dose yourself with plenty of patience.

Colds often last a week to 10 days, so give your body a chance to do its thing. Come to the Student Health Center pharmacy for medication. If you have a bad sore throat, or if you think you have more than just a cold, or if you just want to be checked, come to our walk-in clinic to be seen by a health provider. Or call 277-3136 for an appointment.

Peggy Spencer has been a UNM student-health physician for 16 years. E-mail your questions to her at Pspencer@unm.edu. All questions will be considered, and all questioners will remain anonymous. This column has general health information only and cannot replace a visit to a health care provider.