Each year Americans catch more than 1 billion cases of the common cold, making the cold virus the most common infectious disease in the United States, as stated on mercola.com. Colds account for more school absences and missed work than any other illness, and are the No. 1 reason people visit their physicians, even though most physicians have little to offer in the form of treatment.
“The common cold is a virus,” said David Kader, a medical assistant from Utah. “It enters your cells and can cause symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, cough. It is picked up from somewhere and spreads.“
Brooklyn Grossarth from Arizona, a freshmen majoring in business, said she tries to find out where she picked up her cold. “I actually try to trace my steps. Who do I know who got me sick? Saturday I woke up and felt like I got hit by a train. Everybody is getting sick right now because we are not used to being around to so many people in close quarters.”
Kader’s observation was similar. “When you are in a place where you have seasons, in fall and winter people will be inside more, so they will share more germs. Here in Hawaii you have the wet season. When it rains you are inside and you are around people. That’s typically when you pick up a virus.”
“Avoid stress,” advised Kader further. “It has a really negative impact on your body. Find ways to de-stress. Everybody gets stressed, yes, but find ways to relax.” One example he gave was to relax with friends after midterms.
Kader said a body is more likely to succumb to a virus if it is not being taken care of in the first place. “If you are not eating right and getting the right nutrients, vitamins, and don’t rest enough, for sure your body is going to be stressed out and your immune system is not going to be able to work as it should. You have to make sure you get rest, drink lots of liquids and eat right.”
The friendly culture of Hawaii could also contribute to the spread of the common cold, said Zerin Parker from Honolulu, a freshman and undeclared major. “People [in Hawaii] are super open. ‘Come to my house. Here is my food.’ There are these cultural gatherings where there are lots of people.” According to Parker, there is only one superior prevention: “Wash your hands.”
Grossarth remembered, “My grandmother would say, ‘Gargle hydrogen peroxide. Don’t drink it, because then you will die.’ I never tried it because I was too scared.”
Kader said, “I would be careful with that. I mean, it will whiten your teeth. I would not gargle with [hydrogen peroxide]. Saltwater is a lot safer.”
Parker remembered a time when he was quite sick during his mission in Japan. “There, you eat a certain kind of fish that has a lot of healing qualities. A member suggested, and also provided the fish for me. So I ate it and got better, though I can’t necessarily say that it was from the fish.”
Talking about alternative medicine, specifically the famous doTerra oils, Kader said, “Some of those oils are certainly used in medicine. Some of the medicine is derived from plants. When there is an oil that makes you feel better, then by all means, use it. But not at the risk of getting more ill. When you are using one and it doesn’t help, go to the doctor.”