The Innuit people, or Eskimos, had virtually no colds that we know of,
although they lived in the most rigorous, frigid climate most of the time.
When modern society intruded on their vigorous lifestyle they became frequent
cold sufferers, living in government provided heated cabins, eating refined
foods, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, and avoiding physical
activity: similar to the lifestyle of most first world people!
Many Native Americans had the custom of exposing newborns to extreme climates
at birth. Specifically, a newborn would be brought to the river, stream, or
sea, regardless of season or temperature, and fully immersed in the water, a
shocking baptism. This was felt to insure the vigor of the infant, if it
didn't call the baby first!
In my practice I have stopped shaking hands with my patients as a way to
decrease my exposure to viruses; this may not be the best technique for public
relations, but I enjoy being "cold-free". I also practice shallow breathing
when exposed to "virus" environments, and try to close my eyes when someone
coughs or sneezes near me, when feasible. I also take at least 1gm of Vit
C/day and eat fresh citrus, not packaged juices.
The importance of this discussion about colds, in addition to their absolute
frequency, as pointed out by Dr. Eccles, is their role in many other ENT
problems, from otitis media, to sinusitus, laryngitis, bronchitis. There is
continual research to yield vaccines and antiviral agents to eliminate/reduce
the threat of colds, but until then we will have to wash our hands and avoid
touching our eyes and noses.
Ron Halweil, MD ENT
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