At what level do viruses become beautiful?
Thee common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Over 200 different viruses can cause the thing we have termed a ‘cold’.
Although it is not true that getting wet or being in a draft causes a cold (a person has to come in contact with the virus to catch a cold), certain conditions may lead to increased susceptibility.
The food you eat is one of the best lines of defense against catching a cold. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will strengthen your immune system and help you to stay free of colds.
Once caught, there is still no effective cure for the misery of the common cold. The old adage that ‘a cold lasts for seven days if you treat it and a week if you leave it alone’ may still be true. However, in its 40-years search for a cure, the British Common Cold Research Unit discovered that zinc may help to shorten the duration of a cold. Zinc is now included in some over-the-counter remedies, but not all forms of the mineral seem to work. Several trials of zinc supplements have been ineffective. Good dietary source of available zinc include liver (not to be eaten in pregnancy), red meat, eggs and, best of all, oysters.
