Common Talk Weeklyshuang yu zhou kan
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The curse of the common cold
Collected by Angela Lehmann

冬春之交,正是感冒易发时节。近来感冒患者不断增多。然而,对于这一常见病的治疗方法,我们却存在着许多认识误区。我们发现并列举之,并提示了不少中西方对于该病的不同治疗方法。



It's hard to imagine that only a few weeks ago Xiamen was freezing. With heaters and blankets on, the couch seemed like the warmest place to be. Suddenly, it seems, the sun has decided to come out of hiding and spring has begun. The beaches are crowded with families and friends and the streets seem alive again. At this time of year, as we start coming out of winter hibernation, many people find they are more susceptible to catching a cold. Along with the sunshine comes the sniffles.

On average a person gets two colds a year, usually between November and April, which means that in the absence of any general cure, you are likely to spend several days of each year of your life suffering from grotty symptoms（症状） such as fatigue, fever, sore throat and blocked sinuses.

There are more than 200 different types of viruses that cause the common cold. This is why it is so hard for our bodies to develop immunity（免疫力） against it. But what actually happens when you catch a cold? The virus enters your body and attaches itself to the lining of your nasal passage or your throat. This virus then enters the cells in this area of your body. These infected cells then produce more viruses that attack the surrounding cells. Your immune system then comes to the rescue and within a few days you should be starting to feel better.

Is there a cure for the common cold? Not yet, either in the west or in China. But Chinese medicine offers an effective way of treating the common cold, one that dramatically reduces its duration and severity. If a cold is treated in its initial stage—when one is just starting to feel a cold coming on—an acupuncture treatment and dose of herbs can stop the cold from progressing, and the person should feel fine in about a day. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have also been shown to help the body’s immune system. Hence, Chinese medicine can be used preventively, which is particularly good news for those of us who catch colds frequently.

Cold myths
Being one of the world’s most common diseases and yet still not completely understood, the common cold is surrounded by myths.
Myth: You can catch the flu or a cold from going outdoors in cold weather.
Fact: The flu and colds are more common in the winter months because that is when the viruses spread across the country. It has nothing to do with being outside in cold weather.

Myth: If you catch a cold it means you have a weakened immune system.
Fact: Healthy people with normal immune systems are highly susceptible to the cold virus once it enters the nose. Some luckier people can be infected with the virus but show no symptoms.

Myth: Having cold symptoms is good for you because they help you get over a cold, therefore you should not treat a cold.
Fact: According to studies, abut 25% of people who get a cold virus infection do not develop symptoms and yet they get over the infection as well as those with symptoms.


Stopping the sniffles
There may not be a cure for the cold, but there are some foods and herbs that can help.

Western doctors emphasize the importance of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamin C, for prevention and treatment. Pumpkin, an antioxidant（抗氧化剂）, is rich in vitamin A and is very effective in preventing cold. Westerners often head for a hot bowl of chicken soup or a cup of lemon and honey tea when they have a cold.

A hot toddie is a traditionally British cold remedy. If you are feeling under the weather try this variation.
Hot Toddie:
· 3/4 cup steaming hot, strongly brewed tea
· 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
·2 tablespoons whiskey,
·1 tablespoon honey
·1 cinnamon stick
·1/4 teaspoon nutmeg （optional）
Put all into large mug, stir with cinnamon stick!!

The western belief of feeding a cold is contrary to Chinese medical advice. Starving a cold is most important because the last thing you want is the virus to grow stronger. Chinese medicine suggests that eating light and easy to digest food during a cold is important. The body is at war fighting the cold virus and has little energy left to digest a heavy meal.

The most common drink for Chinese people who catch cold is hot boiled ginger soup, preferably boiled with brown sugar and red dates. Usually they go to bed right after taking the drink. It is said that such drink may help patients sweat and get rid of the cold. Another way that sounds interesting is to inhale deeply from a hot cup of vinegar, which is believed to be able to kill bacteria. Some Chinese people prefer not to eat eggs or greasy or heavy things when they catch cold, perhaps they think these food are responsible for producing phlegm（痰） and could make their symptoms worse.