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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1997)
Health News Common cold virus strikes again Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria and not viruses that cause the common cold By Megan Turner Higher Education Reporter You’re sneezing, coughing, wheezing and, if that weren’t enough, you have a paper due to morrow and all you feel like do ing is snoozing. You’ve tried to deny it, but it is starting to be come a reality: You’ve got a cold. Although there isn’t a cure for the common cold yet, there are some things you can do to im prove the situation. The upper respiratory infec tion, also known as a cold, is caused by a virus that is transmit ted through direct contact. Colds are, of course, very common: The average adult will suffer about two to four colds a year, mostly during the winter months, al though the "cold season” usually begins in the fall. There are several different viruses that can cause a cold, which is why it has been very difficult for scientists to make a vaccine, said Dr. Donna Scurlock of the Student Health Center. Generally speaking, however, symptoms of the common cold can last a week, maybe more, de pending on a person’s immune system. The viruses that cause colds in most people are usually transmitted by air, when a person sneezes or coughs, or by secre tions, such as when a person touches a desk and then touches his or her face. Symptoms may not show for one or two days, but when they do they are numerous: nasal dis charge, a sore throat, coughing, headaches, low fever and fatigue are classic symptoms, Scurlock said. Cigarette smokers tend to have much stronger symptoms, and a cold for these people may last longer. Preventative measures to avoid colds include a healthy diet, low stress levels and regular exercise. Vitamin C and Zinc, which have been associated with cold protec tion, have brought conflicting re sults in recent studies. Scurlock said it doesn't hurt to keep taking them if you think they work or if your doctor recommends them. As for alleviating cold symp toms, Scurlock said there are sev eral options. “As with anything, when there’s not a cure there are more ways to make it better,” she said. Decongestants and antihista mines may help but are not effec tive for all people. They can help clear nasal passages and relieve headaches, but they may also cause side effects such as drowsi ness or excitability. Also, cough drops and cough medicines may reduce coughing and soothe sore throats temporarily; some cough medicines, however, contain al cohol and can cause drowsiness. In other words, they shouldn’t be taken if someone has a really big paper to write. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are an emphatic no, Scurlock said. Bacteria are the prime tar gets for antibiotics, not viruses; hence, antibiotics are not useful in combating the common cold. She said many doctors have been unnecessarily prescribing antibi otics for people without bacterial infections. As a result, some pa tients have developed an immu nity to antibiotics and are unable to use antibiotics if faced with an actual bacterial infection. According to an article by the Division of General Internal Med icine, 12 million antibiotic pre scriptions, or 20 percent overall, were given to patients with viral infections. You should only see a doctor when you have any of these symptoms: a significantly high fever; unusually thick nasal drainage; breathing difficulties; blood produced by coughing; or symptoms that continue to wors en after a week, Scurlock said. Scurlock said she recommends self-care, or treating the cold without over-the-counter med ications or prescriptions. She said by listening to your body and doing what it says, a cold is n’t likely to hang around as long. Sleep when drowsy, drink lots of liquids, eat well and don’t go to class if you don’t feel well enough. After all, no one else wants to get sick. A CALL FOR PROJECTS Asia in Focus: VtofcergrAbviAte Perspective What is it: A conference for undergraduate students with an interest in Asia. Students will present and share projects involving things like research papers, reading creative writing, displaying a visual arts project, or demonstrating Asian music, dance or martial arts. The conference is FREE with travel and food provided. The conference will be held on Saturday, Movember 15, 1997 from 9 30 a m - 5 00 p m , at Lewis & Clark College, plus an evening world music performance It will also include video previews and Job and Internship Information To join: submit a one-page abstract (short description) of what you would like to present to The Center for Aslan and Pacific 5tudles (CAPS), 110 Gerllnger hall, University of Oregon If you have any questions, please contact Anne Mauboussin at 346-1522or amaub@oregon.uoregon.edu The proposal deadline is Wednesday. October 15, by 5:00 p.m. at CAPS rTirniiiiiriTirTwiTiij^'iii'iii ...umi..... Wl LLAMETTE UNIVERSITY PRESENTS COM PAG Nil: CLAUDE BEAUCLAIR PARIS IN I A DERNIERE BANDE DE SAMUEL BECKETT THURSDAY. OCTOBER 23. 1997 11:00 A M ONLY SHOWING IN OREGON $8 ADULT • $6 STUDENT $5 STUDENT GROUPS (10 OR MORE) SMITH AUDITORIUM-WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY-SALEM. ORE DEPARTMENT OF ERENCII A***" E.MU Nt\\/6 sgaSHatoa CTRI A 13 ‘Reserved EMU Ticket Office FEATURE EVENTS FOR THE WEEK ARE: Calobo October 21, EMU Ballroom Jars of Clay October 18, Hult Center Eugene Ballet's Romeo and Juliet October 25-26, Hult Center DJSpooky October 15, W.O.W. Hall Open Monday-Friday 8-7:30 Sunday 12-4, Saturday 10-4 The EMU Ticket Office is an outlet for Fastixx, Hult Center, W.O.W. Hall, EMU and UO Athletic tickets. > /2 price (It S’// YCS after 2.30pm in the EMU Food Service Locations beginning Monday. October 13th EMU Food Service Customer Appreciation Day. Thanks for bearing with us during our remodeling. Coupons drawings, free gifts at all EMU Food Service Locations. w ATM's in pthe EMU Temporary location EMU Breezeway (across from Campus Copy) U-Lane-O Credit Union • Bank of America • Key Bank • South Umpqua Bank • US Bank • Wells Fargo BIRD Identification Walk Is it a Hawk? ...Turkey? ...Vulture??? Knowing local birds and their songs greatly enhances awareness and enjoyment of hiking and being outdoors. Join UO Ornithology Instructor, Dan Gleason, for a morning walk at Fern Ridge to learn how to identify some of our local wild bird population. Preregistration required. Transportation provided. Bring binoculars! Free for UO students and Co-op members; $2 general public. Saturday, 7:OOam-10:00am, Meet at the OP J il §eutfiern 0reg on Local Author, William Sullivan, proves there's more to Southern Oregon adventure than just Crater Lake and the Rogue River, Discover hot springs near Roseburg, wildflower meccas near Ashland, secret lakes in the Trinity Alps, and much . more! Sullivan is the author of six books about exploring Oregon, and always put c on an entertaining show full of great adventure tips and natural history anecdotes. SI general admission, free to students and OP Co-op members Wednesday. 7:30pm. 110 Willamette Hall
