I read the article. I agree with some of it. Washing your hands after touching money is very important, if you’re in the profession.
But I have a better recommendation.
I’m board certified in Preventive Medicine. I don’t have data too prove this, but for almost 50 years, (even before med school), I learned from old GP, that the best way to stop a cold in it’s tracks, in it’s early stages is to:
NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE.
I’ve told patients, friends and family this, even wrote a couple articles on the subject and done a couple local radio spots, so the feedback tells me that reducing the nose blowing as much as possible, early on works.
Taking one of the decongestants or nasal sprays in the article works too. Airborne, when taken at the first sign works. Flonase etc.
If you resist the nose blowing, (ok you can blow your nose ONCE in the shower only), you may suffer a little for the first day, but the cold will be gone within 48 hours.
On the other hand, if you start blowing your nose, you will stimulate your mucous glands, causing more congestion ie more nose stuffiness and therefore blowing. The virus will get a foot hold in your irritated mucous membranes, and go deeper into the sinuses.
What would have passed in a day or two, is now a chronic one to two week thingy, where you end up eventually going to your doctor, and he or she:
PUTS YOU ON AN ANTIBIOTIC!!!
“NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE.”
So, it runs down your throat and causes strep throat or bronchitis?? Not a good suggestion.
I've lived in San Antonio all my life. Seasonal allegies are a given. Then my wife and I moved to the Hill Country. Cedar Everywhere! We were sick more often and for 4-5 days. Not 2-3.
Doctor recommended Flonase for daily use. One shot each nostril before bed each night.
That has drastically reduced our Cedar Fever problems. Hardly ever sick. And if we are - it is less severe.
Very interesting and worth trying, but seems almost impossible to resist the temptation to blow. It would be like not scratching a severe itch — smart but impossible to do.
“NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE.”
That’s mentioned in the original article, too.
Can you irrigate during this time of not blowing nose.
With NS?
Strange approach, but I will look further into it.
Thanks!