Iowa Department of Public Health News Release
by Dawn Clausen
January 24, 2008
IDPH News Release
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For More Information: Polly Carver-Kimm, Public Information Officer Office: 515-281-6693 pcarver@idph.state.ia.us |
For Immediate Release: January 16, 2008 |
Misery Loves Company – Viral Illnesses Easily Spread
The best defense is a yearly flu vaccine and clean hands
You hear it in school hallways, in the cubicle next door and in shopping centers and grocery stores: coughing and sneezing. Doctors see it in the red throats, runny noses and fevers of their patients. It’s respiratory or cold and flu virus season in Iowa.
Although local outbreaks of influenza are occurring, hospitals and doctors’ offices across the state are seeing a wide variety of other misery-causing viruses, especially respiratory ailments, like cold viruses. There are 110 different viruses known to cause the common cold, which is why even if you develop immunity to the last cold virus, you can still come down with a cold several times a year. The average Iowa adult typically catches two to four colds per year, while children catch six to ten.
Although those suffering from a respiratory viral illness often hope a prescribed medication will speed their recovery, Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, says viruses do not respond to antibiotics. “The best treatment is rest, plenty of water and for older children, adolescents and adults, over-the-counter medications that may help ease symptoms.” Quinlisk says over-the-counter medications should not be given to young children without consulting a doctor.
There is no practical way to avoid all viruses, but you can reduce your risk of catching one. They’re spread through the air, by personal contact or by touching a surface that has cold-causing germs on it, then touching your eyes or nose. (Avoid people who are coughing and sneezing: If you work with them, tell them to go home!).
Your best defense is getting the flu vaccine every year and frequent hand washing. Quinlisk recommends vigorously scrubbing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds several times a day. In addition, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, keeping well-hydrated, being active 30 minutes a day and including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Quinlisk says it’s important for you or your child to stay home from work or school when ill to help prevent the spread of viruses to others. Most people recover from a viral illness within two to seven days. If your symptoms last longer than that, your fever does not diminish or you feel you’re getting worse, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
Other “cold” hard facts:
- 180 million: the number of school days American children with colds miss each year
- 196 million: the number of days U.S. workers miss to care for children with colds or to nurse their own colds
- 110 million: the number of doctor’s visits for cold-related treatment each year
- 40 billion dollars: the total annual economic impact of the common cold, including such direct costs as physician visits
- 1.1 billion dollars: the annual amount cold sufferers spend on antibiotics (possible reasons doctors prescribe them include force of habit, pressure from patients, and to prevent secondary infections caused by bacteria in the throat and nose)
- 0: the effect that antibiotics have on viral illnesses, such as the common cold
Source: proto, Massachusetts General Hospital, “Dispatches from the frontiers of medicine,” Spring 2007 p.8.
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