Is there any way to reduce colds?

[CBL4]

I have two small children who are constantly getting colds. They touch everything and still suck their thumbs which is obviously a bad combination (and also virtually impossible to stop.) The last two winters we have had about six colds plus the flu.

Is there anything that has been shown to reduce colds? We do try to wash our hands frequently but it seems useless.

CBL

[Amapola]

In hospitals people wash their hands almost constantly...... that is the only thing I have ever heard of that actually has any effect. Mr. Amapola works in a hospital and yet only very rarely gets sick, and the hand washing is supposed to be what does the trick.

With little kids, boy, that is tough. I guess the only thing you can realistically do is just try and continue the hand washing. If they get into the habit of it, it might help a little until they are old enough to understand what you are trying to accomplish.

[Fengirl]

Well, it turns out that there might be some truth in Granny's advice to "wrap up warm so you don't catch a cold": http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,3605,1642101,00.html

Ninety volunteers who spent 20 minutes with their feet in bowls of iced water have provided evidence that failing to wrap up warmly is directly linked to falling prey to sore throats and a bunged-up nose.

Although apparently common sense, straightforward connections between chilling and viral infection have been hard to prove, according to the common cold centre at Cardiff University - the world's only centre dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for the treatment of flu and the common cold.

But the latest experiment reinforces theories that existing, latent infection can be activated when parts of the body, particularly the feet and nose, get wet and cold.

Claire Johnson and Ron Eccles from the centre found that 29% of the volunteers developed cold symptoms within five days, compared to 9% of a control group who dangled their feet in empty bowls.

[H3LL]

Some consolation is that I understand you only catch each cold once. I guess the more they have young the fewer they will catch when older.

I've not checked this so have no evidence that it's true.


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[Jorghnassen]

Use this. (http://www.yogaskolen.org/usa/rhinohorn.html) Though it probably work as advertised, it should be good enough to scare them into washing their hands regularly.

[Bikewer]

Unfortunately, the best defense is to stay away from people who have colds....

Almost impossible for school children.

[CBL4]

You know, if I were not a skeptic, I am sure I could spend tons of money of stuff that would make me feel like I was doing someone. As it is, I guess I am resigned to sniffing and sneezing.

Cold, wet feet causing colds seem appropriate. My kids love "puddle-stomping." They go to the park in big, rubber boots and splash in puddles. Even though the boots go up to their knees, they still get water in the boots.

Since its the only fun outdoor winter activity in the northwest, I guess I will let them keep doing it. Sooner or later, they will get every cold known to mankind and become immune.

CBL

[Hellbound]

You know, if I were not a skeptic, I am sure I could spend tons of money of stuff that would make me feel like I was doing someone.

You know, I can point you to sites where you can order those things, skeptic or not. Don't think they'd be safe for work, though :eek:

:D

[ysabella]

There is some evidence that elderberry has some positive effect. You can get lozenges with elderberry in them. I was reading this in one of Dr.Dean Edell's books, I'll have to look it up later and come back.

[CBL4]

I found two different view on elderberry:
Dietary supplements can not make health claims unless they are approved by Health Canada. I would say that if a search of the world's literature using PubMed brings up only one study published in an obscure alternative medical magazine that supports the human treatment of influenza type illnesses with elderberry, that would be a pretty lame excuse for launching an industry. It's also very interesting that one of the invesigators of that study is now also a consultant for a foreign company that is selling their version of the elderberry juice. http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/Naturopathy/Wikenheiser/

However, I found a study about elderberry and the flu.
Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15080016&dopt=Citation

None of the three authors of this study were mentioned in the negative article. However, apparently there was another study done it Panama in 1993.

CBL

[Filip Sandor]

I have two small children who are constantly getting colds. They touch everything and still suck their thumbs which is obviously a bad combination (and also virtually impossible to stop.) The last two winters we have had about six colds plus the flu.

Is there anything that has been shown to reduce colds? We do try to wash our hands frequently but it seems useless.

CBL

Your children probably have a weaker immune system than most kids and so they are more proned to contracting colds. This can be a result of a number of things; but it usually starts with an improper diet (ie. too much sweets or fats, things like pop and potato chips in combination with not enough vitamins and nutrients or not enough fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants).

By the way, here is an interesting bit I read a while ago on the net:

(Reference: Time Magazine; September 18, 2000; page 96) http://www.time.com

"Researchers have found that heavy pacifier use by infants older than six months increases the risk of ear infections - the most common reason for childhood visits to the doctor. The constant sucking can cause harm to the Eustachian tube, making it more difficult for the middle ear to drain. Nurses involved in the study suggest parents take pacifiers away during playtime and allow toddlers to use them only when falling asleep."

Mind you it does say "heavy pacifier use" so I don't think your kids are at risk!

[Bikewer]

A technique that's been getting a lot of press lately is nasal irrigation. Essentially borrowed from Yogic practices, one sluices out one's nasal passages and sinuses with warm saline.

Apparently, there are a number of studies (sorry, can't quote sources) that indicate a positive effect. There was just an article in the local paper's "Health" section this morning, and I heard a segment on one of the NPR news shows.

[hodgy]

A technique that's been getting a lot of press lately is nasal irrigation. Essentially borrowed from Yogic practices, one sluices out one's nasal passages and sinuses with warm saline.

Apparently, there are a number of studies (sorry, can't quote sources) that indicate a positive effect. There was just an article in the local paper's "Health" section this morning, and I heard a segment on one of the NPR news shows.

I wouldn't try that - sounds not very nice and surely you're going to flush away protective mucus that is the body's natural way to stop dirt and germs getting into the respiratory and blood systems?

[Jorghnassen]

Use this. (http://www.yogaskolen.org/usa/rhinohorn.html) Though it probably work as advertised, it should be good enough to scare them into washing their hands regularly.

I meant to say "won't work as advertised"...

Proof that people don't read the threads.

[ysabella]

Actually, my doctor recommended nasal lavage to me. You wash out some mucus, sure, but you hydrate these irritated passages and it helps a lot with comfort. I wouldn't say it helps a cold be over sooner, but it helps you keep functioning while you have the cold because you are more comfortable.

That many colds doesn't sound unusual for small kids, though. Do they attend daycare? Because that's like having them lick a petri dish.

[CBL4]

They are two and four and do not attend day care but, twice a week, they go to hour long music classes. They get taken on lots of errands (bank, post office, grocery store, etc.) They always touch railings and stuff and then put their thumbs in their mouth. It is not really possible to wash their hands everytime.

They are not sickly kids. Normally they are perfectly healthy, active kids. The last two winters, they just seem to get sick at least once a month. They got sick two days after Halloween this year.

CBL

[apocalypse]

Just move here...

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