Why can’t "they" cure the common cold?

Let me start by saying - geez, I hope there are no typos in this....

So if you have been reading – or not, a few posts back – I said that my oldest kid had a cold.  Since it was a few weeks ago, I thought the other two (and mom) had escaped the bullet.  Not true this time – since I have a cold and have two kids at home with the same cold.

As normal with a cold – the symptoms are: stopped up nose, slightly runny eyes, mild fever – and this time a barking cough.  In babies, this would be known as “croup”.  A lot of people think that croup is “whooping cough” or pertussis.  It is not.  Whooping cough – truly sounds like the “whoop” of a crane – the noise also occurs on inspiration – and not when they cough.  The croup cough sounds like a barking seal and is also called “bronchiolitis” – which simply means that the bronchioles are inflamed - and likely infected.

In either case - in small infants, it can be troublesome and even dangerous.  This is why “they” insist that all children should get the pertussis vaccine - usually several times (in addition to the other 100 or more vaccines they now “require”).  The problem with the pertussis vaccine is that pertussis is “dangerous” in infants under the age of two months – and the baby can’t get the vaccine until 2 months or “out of the woods”.  The idea behind making kids (adolescents and some adults too) get the vaccine is to prevent babies from getting it….huh?

I digress, the common cold is caused by any one of a number of viruses.  Symptoms are usually less severe than the “flu” which is caused specifically by an influenza virus.

Treating the "Swine Flu" without Tamiflu

A few months ago, pharmacies couldn't give Tamiflu (oseltamivir) away. Pharmacies who had stockpiled for the regular flu season found that the 2008-2009 seasonal influenza virus was immune and consequently nobody was prescribing it. Now all the sudden there is a huge worldwide demand for Tamiflu and the related antiviral Relenza (zanamavir) due to the recent "Swine Flu" outbreak.

The "Swine Flu" is actually a virus that has genetic components of avian flu, at least two types of swine flu - from both Europe and Asia, and from the regular Influenza A. It has infected thousands worldwide and continues to spread. The media and governmental sources from many nations are currently giving numbers reports that conflict with anecdotal reports received from people in affected areas so the real numbers are actually unknown by the general public. Is it a pandemic? Many theories abound - from they aren't telling us enough to they are overblowing the whole problem.

Reportedly, this virus is sensitive to both Tamiflu and Relenza causing doctor's offices to experience a flood of inquiries for prescriptions. The problem now is that most pharmacies have run out of Tamiflu and likely Relenza and they will most likely NOT be getting more until the situation has passed. All supplies from manufacturers and drug suppliers alike are being diverted to governmental agencies to stockpile for this "impending" pandemic. Pharmacies, drugstores, hospitals and physician's offices who order replacements - will NOT receive them as the drug is "unavailable" to the public. So, if you don't have yours yet - you probably won't be able to get it.

So, what to do? What if you actually need it? There are some natural therapies which have been shown to have antiviral activity and that many people "swear by". Perhaps not as immediately effective as traditional medicine when taken after an infection but these herbal supplements can be taken upon exposure. With Tamiflu, you have to wait until you know you are sick. All of these supplements should be available at your local healthfood or vitamin store. Some can even be found at large discount stores such as Target and Walmart - though I personally plan to avoid places like that if an epidemic actually occurs.

• Elderberry extract, also known as Sambucol - contains a component called antivirin which reportedly blocks the virus from entering cells and has been proven effective in flu outbreaks
• Oreganol/Oil of Oregano - has been shown to be a powerful antiviral and effective against the "bird flu"
• Ginger - reportedly contains over a dozen antiviral components and shows antinflammatory and may help to reduce fever
• Garlic - has many sulfur compounds which have shown to be antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic
• Shiitake mushroom - long known for infection prevention in Asia, believed to boost natural interferon to inhibit viral activity

And - the old standby

• Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid - long known for boosting the immune system, laboratory tests show high doses are useful for preventing viral infections

One interesting note - Echinacea and Goldenseal (which are usually recommended as "immune boosters" for the common cold) are NOT recommended for the swine flu because of the possibility of pushing the body's natural immune system response too fast resulting in an increased risk of hemorrhagic fever - which is believed to be a primary cause of death from the current "Swine Flu".
Obviously good hygeine is essential, hand washing, hand sanitization, avoiding crowded public places and taking general care of oneself. One should get plenty of rest, eat appropriately and stay hydrated to help ensure you are in good health if exposed to a virus.