For advertising information visit www.samplerpublications.com or call 859.225.4466 | November 2015
Fighting the Common Cold
Every year new viruses circulate
By Jamie Lober, Staff Writer
Cold season is here. Are you ready?
“As far as what to expect this
year, there is no way to predict that
because every year a multitude of
different viruses circulate,” said Dr.
Sean McTigue, assistant professor of
pediatrics and pediatric infectious
diseases and medical director for
pediatric infection prevention control
at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
Currently physicians are dealing
with the enterovirus, which circulates
every late summer and fall. “As we
get further into the winter, there is
rhinovirus and RSV,” McTigue said.
“Beyond the cold, the flu is coming.”
You can start taking precautions
now. “We are urging everybody to
get flu shots because that is the biggest thing people can do to prevent
illness,” McTigue said. In addition,
begin common-sense practices such
as washing your hands frequently,
staying away from sick people and
staying home when you yourself are
sick.
“Colds are around throughout the
year, but once you start getting into
colder weather and people start cramming closer together indoors with
recirculated air, that is when you start
to see more of them,” said McTigue.
How can you determine if you
have a legitimate cold or allergies?
Colds and allergies can look similar.
“Typical allergy symptoms are a
runny, stuffy nose and sneezing,” said
McTigue. “But if you have something
beyond typical nasal congestion or
a sore throat, headache or fever, it
could be a cold. If you have high
fevers, bad headaches, vomiting or
a severe cough, it could be a sign of
something more serious such as the
flu.”
Usually you do not need to see
your physician if you have a cold.
“There is not much we have to offer
beyond telling you to stay hydrated
and use humidification or saline nose
sprays to help with nasal congestion,”
said McTigue. “You would go to the
doctor if you have a high fever, a
severe cough, difficulty breathing or
vomiting.”
Adults can use over-the-counter
cough and cold remedies, but remember they can interact with other medications, McTigue said. In particular,
decongestants can exacerbate high
blood pressure. Talk to your doctor
or pharmacist before taking any overthe-counter products.
For kids, avoiding dehydration
is the biggest concern. “Often with
colds, kids have a stuffy nose, sore
throat and do not want to eat,” said
McTigue. “That is fine, but it is
important that they drink.” If your
child is having less urine output or is
urinating less frequently, it is a reason to suspect dehydration and you
may need to go to the doctor to get
fluids. You can also fall back on the
old standby and kid favorite, chicken
soup.
“Chicken soup actually does help
because it is liquid and it makes sure
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you are getting fluids in,” McTigue
said. “The steam when you lean over
that hot bowl can get in your nose
and help ease some of the congestion.”
Many people believe they need
an antibiotic when they have a
cold, b ] ]\