" A health letter from your doctor" (cont'd)
(Sidebar to 'The Common Cold')
Avoiding Cold Symptoms
The New England Journal of Medicine imbeds
its figurative tongue well into its figurative cheek when it advises,
"The symptoms of a common cold, if treated vigorously, will go away
within seven days...if left alone, they disappear over the course of a
week."
So, what should you do when you get a cold? Most of us should just
practice common sense: rest toallow the body to fight off the infection;
drink liquids to help the fight and to replenish fluids lost in the battle;
stay warm but not overheated; and take minimal symptom-relieving
over-the-counter medicines if you must.
Aspirin may help relieve symptoms; but
first seek medical advice before giving aspirin to anyone in their teens or
younger to avoid the possible danger of Reye's syndrome, as flu symptoms often
mimic cold symptoms. [As we have noted in previous issues, Reye's syndrome
is a potentially deadly disorder that has been associated with giving
youngsters aspirin when they had the flu.] Medical advice concerning other
over-the-counter drugs is also highly advisable, especially for those with
other medical conditions.
Continue to side article
("When To Call the Doctor")
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