Back to school means more coughs, colds

Published 11:53 pm Friday, September 21, 2007

Health Watch By Steve Mullenix

Special to The North Jefferson News



As kids are headed back to school, they’ll renew old friendships and make new ones.

They will swap stories about summer adventures and activities. However, that’s not all they will be swapping.

They will also be swapping some of those little germs and viruses that cause coughs and colds that are so prevalent this time of year. Homework may not be the only thing they will be bringing home.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the cold is the second most common respiratory illness, with influenza being the most common. As a quick note to address that, flu shots will become available beginning October at most locations. We will provide more information on those who should get a flu immunization and risks/benefits of the injection in a coming article.

Cough and cold remedies are the most requested non-prescription medications and account for a large volume of products in the community pharmacy. Surveys have shown that prevention of the common cold is among the top reasons individuals take vitamin and herbal supplements. It is estimated that over $350 billion dollars were spent on cough and cold products in 2006. The cold and cough season normally runs from September to May.

When selecting a product to treat your cough or cold, there is wide array of products available. There are variations in ingredients as well as dosage forms (liquids, tablets, sprays, lozenges and topical).

Prior to selecting a product, it is recommended that you discuss with the pharmacist your symptoms and solicit his or her assistance in selecting the right product to match your symptoms. The pharmacist can offer some direction to the individuals they believe can be self-treated and refer those who need to see their physician. They may be suffering from something more serious than the common cold, which is often confused with influenza, allergic rhinitis or a bacterial infection. Only a physician can accurately diagnose these conditions and prescribe proper treatment.

There are hundreds of viruses that cause the common cold. The human rhinovirus and its subtypes account for over 60 percent of the colds. The human rhinovirus (HRV) is also responsible for causing secondary illness including otitis media, sinusitis, lower respiratory tract infections and exacerbation of asthma symptoms.

HRV is primarily transmitted though direct contact with an infected person such as by touching them or a contaminated area, and then touching one’s eyes or nose. The virus can survive for up to four hours, which leaves a long time for it to be transmitted between individuals.

Secondary modes of transmission includes inhalation of the virus through sneezed droplets from an infected person.

The primary risk factor for the common cold is age. Approximately 75 percent of viral infections are contracted and transmitted by children of preschool age. It is estimated that children suffer six to 10 colds per year, while adults experience two to three annually. Other risk factors include lifestyle options such as lack of hand washing, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, gender, smoking, chronic psychological stress, extensive travel or immunocompromised individuals.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the primary way to prevent the spread of germs is to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and wash your hands often.

Practicing other good health habits such as adequate nutrition, getting plenty of sleep, keeping active, drinking fluids and avoiding exposure to tobacco can help maintain a healthy immune system.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.