They come out of nowhere, unexpectedly, ready to pounce on your already tired and worn-out body. That’s right, the bugs are back!

As if times weren’t stressful enough with homework, sports, rehearsals (for many) and keeping up with our own social agendas, the common cold inconsiderately infects us and ruins our carefully laid plans and schedules.  The New York Times stated recently that individuals will experience the common cold more times than any other illness. So, to help prevent and better defend ourselves against this careless virus, we must venture into the belly of the beast and understand how it works.

Firstly, it is called the ‘common cold’ for good reason: there’s nothing exotic or special about it.  Colds occur more than one billion times in the United States alone each and every year.  Colds are the most common reason that children miss school and parents miss work. Children typically pick up eight colds every year and usually catch them from other children; they can proliferate quickly through schools or daycare centers. The virus itself spreads through tiny air droplets that are released when a sick person sneezes, coughs or blows their nose. There is a high chance that you will catch a cold if:

-    A person with a cold sneezes, coughs or blows their nose near you
-    You touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus, such as a toy or a doorknob, a keypad or money

People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days after contracting a cold but usually they are not contagious after the first week. The symptoms occur within 2 or 3 days after you come in contact with the virus, although it could take up to a week. Symptoms mostly affect the nose and the most common are:

-    Nasal congestions
-    Runny nose
-    Scratchy/sore throat
-    Sneezing      

But, my fellow Brentonians, there is still hope. There are methods to prevent and treat the common cold and seasonal flu.  First, drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest and during this time. Also, cold medicines are your best friend. Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies do not make the cold go away any faster but may help to ease the symptoms so you feel a little better.  Other tried and true treatments include chicken soup (the heat, fluid and salt help fight the infection), vitamin C (research shows people who take this regularly seem to have slightly shorter colds with milder symptoms) and zinc supplements (taken for at least five days, zinc may reduce your risk of catching the virus).  BUT the most important thing you can do to keep healthy is to wash your hands and sanitize frequently to stop those germs in their tracks.

What goes round comes round.  We live in the Brentwood Bubble and illness is no stranger but no one likes being sick; it throws us out of synch with our busy Brentwood lives.  Wash often, stay healthy, rest up and beat those annoying colds now so that when Midterm Break comes around in 10 days you’ll be healthy and ready to enjoy it!    

Emily R