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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-01-08, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003. PAGE 13. Some lessons on proper cold etiquette On average, Canadians develop two to four colds per year. Invariably the illnesses are relatively mild and last less than a week. However, colds are the leading cause of both doctor visits and lost days at work and school. Sometimes it is difficult to know the difference between the flu and a cold. The symptoms of the flu, more properly known as influenza, are generally more severe symptoms, which typically include: headache, chills, and fever. As with a cold, the flu cannot be treated with an antibiotic. People often mistake a respiratory tract infection (RTI) for something else such as smokers cough, a common cold, or allergies, and as a result, neglect to seek treatment. If your cold-like symptoms last more than two weeks without improvement, they may be caused by an infection of the sinus cavities (bacterial sinusitis). Common bacterial RTIs can include chronic bronchitis, acute sinusitis and community-acquired pneumonia. The dos and don’ts Not only should you take care of yourself when you are suffering from a cold or an RTI. you should also be considerate of others around you. If you have a cold or an RTI, you are highly contagious and may transmit your germs to your friends and family. Here are some tips on proper cold etiquette in order to avoid the spread of germs. Stop the Spread! Things to do when you are sick: • Wash your hands often: Results of a r’cent study at Toronto’s Ryerson Polytechnic University showed that washing your hands seven times a day seems to be the threshold for making a significant dent in avoiding the spread of germs that cause illness. The study found that the chance of staying healthy was 4.2 times greater for those who washed their hands more than seven times a day. • Keep your germs to yourself: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with a tissue with your non-dominant hand, thus leaving your dominant hand clean for opening doors, etc. • No shaking hands: Since hand-to-hand contact is the most common way to spread germs, avoid shaking hands on all accounts. Explain to people that you are sick and they will not only understand, but thank you for not giving them your germs. • Avoid or limit stress: Stress has a tremendous impact on your immune system. The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to get sick with a cold, the flu or worse, an RTI. Stress can even make symptoms worse when you are sick. • Limit contact with those who are vulnerable to colds: Young children are prone to colds and may have eight to 12 colds every year due to lower immunities to cold-causing viruses and infections. On the other hand, the elderly have diminished cough and gag reflexes and faltering immune systems and are at greater risk for serious respiratory infections. • Take care of yourself first before you see a doctor: When you get sick, rest, plenty of liquids and over the counter medications will help you get better. If the symptoms persist beyond two weeks a bacterial RTI may be the culprit - antibiotics are then needed. • Go see a doctor: If your cold or flu has not gotten better within two weeks and you think you may be suffering from a common respiratory tract infection including chronic bronchitis, acute sinusitis or community-acquired pneumonia, contact your doctor to seek appropriate treatment. • Stay home when you’re feeling ill: If you are not feeling well, stay home to avoid spreading your germs at school, the office, the mall or wherever you should or could be. • Don’t over exert yourself: During the duration of a cold, gel plenty of rest, avoid excessive exercise, drink lots of fluids, especially water, and do not share food, eating utensils or cups with anyone. • Don’t suffer for long: When suffering from a respiratory tract infection, such as chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial sinusitis or community-acquired pneumonia, talk to your physician about available treatment options. “It is important that people have consideration for others when they are sick," said Tony Mazzulli, a Canadian infectious/ disease specialist. “Following a few simple etiquette steps will decrease the chances of spreading germs to others. If you think that you arc suffering from a respiratory tract infection, be sure to speak to your physician about newer antibiotics that will quickly treat your RTI and get you back to your daily activities.” October 12 October 16 November 6 November 19 December 2 December 9 December 9 December 31 Emma Elaine Silcock daughter of Steve & Paula Emma Elizabeth Alcock daughter of Jeff & Erin Mackenzie Muriel Wightman daughter of Brian & Alison Madison Alice & Kameryn Olivia Kelly daughters of Jed & Michelle Benjamin Douglas & Joseph Douglas Jacklin sons of Shawn & Melissa . A A/ Mackenzie Marguerite Gulutzen daughter of Bill & Christine Marissa Michelle Nesbitt daughter of Jeff & Michelle 1 Hailey Lorraine Hoelscher daughter of Jeff & Tina (Bosman)