Curing The Common Cold: Not Quite Impossible

Ejected from the child’s mouth, the colony of Rhinoviruses splatter against the first solid item it contacts. Droplets from the group bounce off the surface, spraying in all directions. A single droplet flies into a small, cool with moisture, opening. An instant later the Rhinovirus’ barbs embed themselves to the wall of the nasal passage. The Rhinovirus rips a hole into the wall of its captured host. Defenseless the victim has no choice but to succumb to the aggressor. Within moments new instructions are installed into the conquered DNA machinery. Using the new instructions the hijacked host begins to replicate new versions of the robotic mannered invaders. Quickly new monsters fill the area. Suddenly, without notice, overcrowding causes the production quarters to explode. The new demons are released to swarm over unsuspecting neighbors. This pirate-like scenario is then played out over and over again. In time the body’s temperature will rise. Once a fever is reached immune defenders begin to rid the body of the common cold virus.

What are viruses?

They are reproduction machines without any self-means of procreating. They fall as much into the category of being a mechanical device as they do a life form. In fact, they are neither.

Viruses are parasitic in nature and require a host for survival. These tiny particles contain only their own DNA or RNA inside a protein shell. That’s it. They aren’t even a cell. A virus has to steal a cell then replace the cell’s DNA with its own in order to create more of its own kind.

Viruses are troublemakers. Unlike bacteria where 99% of them are either helpful or otherwise safe to humans, viruses are nasty, hard to get rid of balls of DNA. It even appears viruses have a way of creating variances within their own species by incorporating small portions of the host’s DNA into their offspring. Without this ability, in time the body’s immune system would become accustomed to a particular virus, which would give it a heads up on how to create a defense against it.

Just imagine the other side of this scenario. The next cold you get may actually have a bit of Abraham Lincoln’s DNA within the virus. It’s not likely, but someone’s DNA may be within it.

The Difference Between The Cold And Flu

The degree of illness is the major difference between a cold and the flu. The two have similar symptoms, and viruses cause both, but the flu is more serious. Each has symptoms of muscle aches, respiratory congestion, headaches and more. The flu can turn into a more serious infection if not treated properly. Both the young and elderly are more susceptible to dangerous complications pursuant to having had the flu. If either a cold or the flu continues for more than two weeks the person should seek professional medical help.

How To Prevent A Cold

The things that will help prevent a cold are for the most part well known. Washing your hands often is one of the most important. Just as important is keeping your immune system strong. Cold viruses are always around, but they generally won’t take hold of a person unless they have a weakened immune system. Other than these two things become mindful of those sneezing or coughing near you, and keep your distance if possible.

In order to strengthen your immune system it is not only important to eat right, it is also important to repair the deficiencies that often suppress the immune system. The most common of these deficiencies are selenium, vitamins A and C, and zinc.

What To Do To Overcome A Cold

The most malicious fact about the common cold is that there is no cure. Well there is no cure, but there are ways to fight a cold once acquired. Some include:

• Drink extra water, as viruses prefer drier tissues in which to replicate.
• Get as much rest as you can. The immune system functions best when the individual is either resting or sleeping.
• Create a fever within your body. Viruses cannot reproduce when the body has a high temperature. The body will have a difficult time ridding itself of the virus until the body’s temperature is raised. Without a fever to aid it, the immune system just doesn’t have the power to destroy the virus by itself. One of the best methods of artificially creating a fever within the body is by taking a sauna. Saunas not only raise the body’s temperature, but also aid in the detoxification of the tissues under attack. Taking a sauna as a precaution is one of the best methods of stopping a cold before it starts. As soon as you feel any of the symptoms of a cold, take a sauna.

Ways To Help Cold Symptoms

There are several things a person can do to temporarily alleviate cold symptoms. Gargling with saltwater or drinking lemon water can relieve a sore throat; saline nasal sprays can help clear up the congestion; and that old favorite, chicken soup, actually helps to remove the mucus associated with a cold by restricting the immune system’s inflammatory response.

Never take antibiotics for a cold or flu (both are caused by viruses). The bigger form of microbes, bacteria, can be killed with antibiotics. Trying to use antibiotics to kill viruses is like trying to catch a butterfly in a deep sea fishing net. The butterfly would slip through the holes. Antibiotics may actually worsen a cold by destroying friendly bacteria that are helping to keep the virus at bay.

It is also advised that one avoid eating mucus-generating foods like dairy products. And, stay away from sugar as it inhibits the immune system by decreasing the white blood cells’ ability to provide vitamin C to other cells.

As we approach this year’s cold and flu season it is best to remember the old cliche, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and maybe, just maybe you won’t get one of the one billion colds passed around the United States annually.

Article written by Cat Pippin Lowe for PromolifeNews.com.
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