HEALTH NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 May 1927, Page 8

HEALTH NOTES

COMMON COLD.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.

(Contributed by tho Department of Health.)

The advent of winter, accompanied often with constant changes in climatic conditions, has a tendency to usher in that distressing, unwelcome complaint known as the common cold. This period of the year, when ‘‘coughing drowns the parson’s saw,” is one, therefore, in which precautionary measures should be taken to avoid this condition.

The importance of the so-called common cold is obvious. The condition itself is unwisely considered so trilling that vigorous individuals usually do not permit the disease to hamper their daily pursuits, and in consequence promiscuous association continues without precautions. The result is that colds usually go through farhilies, schools, and business groups, and rapidly become .scattered in many different small epidemics throughout the city communities. The economic con sequences of this are considerable in that enormous numbers ol' people who .acquire this disease lose efficiency for a short time, and if we were able to make an estimate of the economic loss resulting from common colds, it might well show that in this respect this simple malady is more important than many graver conditions.

DISKS O'F NEGLECTED' COLDS

The risks of neglected colds are twofold—to the individual and to the community at large. In the first place there as considerable danger of the cold producing, more serious infectious, such as bronchitis, laryngitis, and broncopneumonia. Secondly, during the course of the condition, by sneezing coughing, and spitting there occurs an indiscrimate scattering of saliva and nasal and bronchial mucus. This results in an interchange of mouth and throat bacteria. of a dangerous nature among the population, and the consequent increase of the “carrier”, problem. Medical statistics have shown that during the existence of an epidemic of colds there occurs a distinct increase in* “carriers” of virulent infections.

TREATMENT

There are two kinds of common colds —the cold caught from other people and the one contracted, even though colds are not prevalent in the population. People who have adenoids or diseased tonsils or are run-down are likely to have either kind. Very few colds would develop into serious illness if the person who has the cold were wise enough to take proper care of himself the first day or two. liest in bed, if' possible, qi* at least indoors, is advisable, if the victim feels weak, as weakness may be a sign of influenza. A laxative should be taken. Plenty of cold water should be taken, and a light amount of simple, nourishing food. Breathing steam or using a salt water nasal douche, if the doctor advises it, may relieved the “stopped up” feeling. At night, before going to bed, a hot bath, or at least a hot foot-bath, is recommended. After drying, the sufferer should be covered up in bed with extra blankets, so as to “sweat the cold out of the system.” A hot drink, such as lemon, assists perspiration. When, besides the general symptoms of a cold, fever occurs, and the back and legs ache badly, probably influenza is indicated, and a doctor’s advice .should be immediately sought.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

Common colds are frequently followed by pneumonia. This is particularly true ,in very young children. Now the question comes, wliat can be done to protect these children? Since all colds, coughs, land other diseases of the air passages are catching, it follows that the same precautions against infection •should be followed with these common disorders as with the more serious disorders. ’ While it is difficult to. prevent colds entirely, there are certain things which should always be done. It is important to keep the germs of this disease from getting into the mouth and nose. Older children can be taught to wash the hands carefully immediately before eating, and' to keep their hands and all things which may have been handled by others away from the mouth and nose. Infants, of course, will put their hands into their mouths, but it is not necessary to- give them much ■handled articles. Using one’s own handkerchief to wipe a baby’s nose .is dangerous, as is the practice of some mothers of tasting the baby’s food, then handing the child the same spoon. It is .important to keep the rooms of the house at a moderate temperature. Air in the winter time is much drier than at other seasons, especially if the rooms are kept too warm, and is more irritating to the membranes of the air passages.

Babies and young children need sunlight ias well as older people. J>o not keep a well child indoors' just because it is cold out of doors. Protect the baby well and put him out where he will get the sunlight. If a child has a cold it is safest to keep him in bed for a few days until the acute stage is past. Keep all dishes and other articles used by the patient separate, and boil or otherwise disinfect them before their use by others. In other words, colds should be considered contagious, and the same sort of care taken a»s with epidemic diseases.

GENERAL ADVICE.

Keep the body built up by eating nourishing food, obseivung regular sleeping j tours, exercising outdoors in the sunshine, and drinking plenty of water daily. Train the skin to stand changes in -temponature by frequent bathing. Wear sensible clothing. Breathe through the nose. Air is filtered as .it passes along the nasal passages on its way to the lungs. See a doctor if difficulty of breathing through the nose is experienced. Live and work in well ventilated rooms. Finally, if you have a cold, .see that you do. not convey it to others by personal neglect of simple precautionary measures, for there is no reason why a cold should spread through a home if these are observed. The individual who coughs and sneezes over the other occupants in a tram or .place of public gathering is deliberately (spreading infection and endangering the .health of the community.