100%

Scanned image of the page. Keyboard directions: use + to zoom in, - to zoom out, arrow keys to pan inside the viewer.

Page Options

Share

Something wrong?

Something wrong with this page? Report problem.

Rights / Permissions

The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. These materials may be under copyright. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact the Bentley Historical Library at bentley.ref@umich.edu

February 06, 1987 - Image 87

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 1987-02-06

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

— — — HEALTH

Staying Free
Of Colds, Flu

When The
Occasion Arises
Dependability
Is Utmost!
You Can Always
Rely On

bruce m. weiss

Jewelers
26325 Twelve Mile Rd.

Southeast corner Northwestern

Behind Gabe's Fruits
In The Mayfair Shops

Mon.-Sat. 10 5:30

-

DR. ALLAN J. ROSS

In the summer, everyone
may scream for ice cream, but
when the mercury drops below
the freezing point, the food of
choice is definitely chicken
soup. Face it, unless you have
an immune system that's
tougher than "the Ter-
minator," you've already had a
cold this winter, or no doubt
you'll be looking one in the eye
sometime before spring.
Think of it this way: if you're
lucky, you'll get a cold — your
basic two or three days with a
clogged head, runny nose and
sore throat. At least it won't
completely put the brakes on
your on-the-go lifestyle. The
flu, on the other hand, often
knocks you out of commission
altogether. A week of aching
joints and muscles, fevers and
headaches are all part of the flu
package.
Unfortunately, there's not
much you can do to avoid get-
ting a cold during the winter, a
time when germs are like
candy at Halloween — free and
plentiful. Since the viruses
that cause colds and the flu are
easily transmitted from person
to person, doctors suggest tak-
ing special precautions this
time of year.
Kissing is an obvious way
germs are spread, but most
people don't realize how many
germs are passed hand-to-
hand. People rub their noses,
touch their eyes, then shake
hands with someone else.
Hand-washing is very im-
portant. It can break the cycle.
Whenever people are contagi-
ous, they should wash their
hands as much as possible so
they avoid passing along their
germs.
For all of us who grew up
with mothers who had a fit
every time we went outside in
the cold after a shower, don't
panic. It's nonsense. You get a
cold when you're exposed to
another person with a cold.
Wet hair has nothing to do
with it.
If the cold air isn't the cul-
prit, then why do people get
sick more often in the winter?
Partially because it's a season
when togetherness is to an ex-
treme. Many hours are spent in
close contact with sick co-
workers, and don't forget the
slew of winter-time holidays
that give people a chance to
spread germs along with cheer.
For some people, the time to

Dr. Ross is a staff member of
Sinai Hospital's internal
medicine department.

start thinking about flu pre-
vention is in the fall. Each
year, •a new flu shot is de-
veloped by doctors who antici-
pate the type of viruses that
will cause the season's flu
epidemic.
Because every virus is
different, each year the flu
changes. This year we saw a lot
of the Taiwan Flu, which
hasn't been around for many
years.
I don't recommend a flu shot
for everyone, but it's important
for people in high risk groups
to have one so they can avoid
the serious complications that
might result from the flu.
The high risk groups Dr.
Ross refers to include people
over 65 who have chronic
illnesses like diabetes or heart
disease. Since flu is a respira-
tory disease, a secondary
bacterial infection, such as
bacterial pneumonia, is the
most common complication.
If symptoms from a cold or
flu persist over an extended
period, it is wise to see a physi-
cian. In the early stages of both
illnesses, however, a trip to the
local pharmacy can equip you
with the ammunition you need
to declare war on your clogged
nasal passages.
There are two kinds of medi-
cations you can purchase over
the counter that will give you
relief. One of them is an ,an-
tihistamine, which will dry up
the secretions, or _mucus, and
the other is a decongestant
that will open up the pas-
sageways.
Stay away from nasal sprays
when it comes to choosing a de-
congestant. Stick to oral medi-
cation, it's the safest way to
treat this condition. For the
aches and pains take an
acetaminophen such as
Tylenol. Considering the rare
possibility of Reye's Syndrome,
which has been associated with
taking aspirin after a viral dis-
ease, young adults should
avoid taking aspirin.
A word of caution for those
who don't often take medica-
tion: Follow the instructions on
the label. Too much antihis-
tamine can make you drowsy,
and an overdose of deconges-
tant can make you shaky.
It is also a good idea to cur-
tail your bar-hopping activi-
ties when you are on medica-
tion. People don't realize that
their alcohol tolerance is lower
when they take these drugs.
It's a good idea not to mix alco-
hol and medication."
Vitamin C hasn't been pro-

Continued on next page

Thurs. 10-8:30

353-142.i

WIlDS
GET REAM

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE FINDING
TIME TO GET THINGS DONE??

Time
is Money, Inc.

Offers Services to Simplify Your Busy Life

• Gift and Grocery Shopping
• Scheduling and Waiting
for Repairmen
• Party Planning and
Much Much More!!

JUDITH SKLAR

661-5005)

Watch for

Call The Jewish News

354-6060

shelving
storage accessories
furniture
holiday merchandise
imported crafts
fabrics

CLEARANCE

lighting
glassware
floor models
display pieces
damaged items
miscellaneous
very miscellaneous

in process now, through
mid-February, more or less

orthogonality

135 S. Woodward / B'ham 642-1460

JEWISH SINGLES

More than 185

PERSONAL MESSAGES

from Jewish singles

of all ages

Attitude Adjustment Hour

February 12, 1987
40. 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 40

In Buddy's Bar room at Buddy's Pizza
31646 Northwestern Highway

• Happy Hour Prices
• Free Gourmet Pizzas &
Hors d'oeuvres
• Free Admission

sponsored by the •
Community Network for Jewish Singles
For information call 661-1000, extension 347.

The 2nd Annual

Winter Wonderland
Weekend for Singles

from U.S., Canada

sponsored by the Community Network for Jewish Singles

and Israel are in

February 20-22, 1987

"THE CONNECTOR"

January issue!!

Send self-addressed

double stamped legal'

size envelope for your

FREE COPY to
thc
C011sIECTOQ

P.O. Box 24331
Omaha'; NE.68124

Cross Country Skiing • Ice Skating • Tobogganing • Nature Walks
Low Impact Aerobics • Stretch & Tone • Nerf Ball • Movies • Indoor Games

•"The Real Mr. or Ms. Right?"
Discussion by Ms. Lanie Broder, MSW, ACSW
•"Beauty of the Winter Woods - A Nature Walk on Skis "
by Ms. Carol Fink
slow Impact Aerobics"
by Ms. Candice Bousquet
•"Adventure Travel" – A Slide Presentation by Mr. Dan Pickard

Dance • Sleighride

$85.00. For further information call Jill Cole
at 661-1000, extension 347.

Back to Top

© 2024 Regents of the University of Michigan