Myths of the Common Cold
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: January 6, 2011
When it comes to colds, you should really just plan on being sick. Freeman Pediatrician Dr. Amanda Webb said, "The chances of getting sick are pretty good, an average child of toddler age will have about 7 or 8 a year. A school age child will have more like 6, an adult will have more like 4."
And there are plenty of excuses for catching a cold - but Dr. Webb added - don't buy it. "Weather, and drafts, air conditioning, wet hair - all that stuff grandma used to tell you doesn't play any role - the reason people get colds is because they catch a virus."
Webb said research shows dosing with vitamin C generally has no impact. Nor do antibiotics, unless there's a secondary infection. The best way to make a difference is by washing hands and sanitizing items in common use. "Cleaning stuff - handles, doorknobs, telephones, toys - just wiping them down with disinfectant."
And Webb added adults should never smoke in the home because that lingering smoke can aggravate asthma as well as ear, sinus and respiratory infections.
