Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

I remember once reading that the common cold is constantly mutating, a cold vaccine could be made but the virus changes and that vaccine is no longer effective,

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

But, in my musing, I wondered how it's transferred from one to another?

We hardly touch, any more, we all wash our hands a lot, we stay 2 metres apart, so how does it get in my hooter?

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

I haven't had a real cold for years. Maybe a sniffle for 24 hours and then it goes. Yet my friend's mum died of a cold because she had leukaemia.

Hopefully covid will turn into nothing worse than a common cold for most now our immune systems are geared up for it.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

I think I've only had one in about 20 yrs too, Tabs.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

I read somewhere once, many years ago, that the older you get the less likely you are to catch a cold. This is because throughout your life you will already have had so many of the 200 odd varieties out there, and built up an immunity to them, leaving an ever diminishing number of viruses yet to reach out and infect you.

I have no idea how much truth there is in this, but it kind of felt logical - in the past 15 years or so I've had far fewer colds than I used to get each year when I was younger.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

No - but I do eat a lot of Garlic and Onions!

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

Me neither, and I've never had flu, I don't think. Back in the 80s I skived off work 2 or 3 times a year mumbling something about cold/sore throat.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

You don't want too either, it's bloody awful. I last got a dose of it about 35yrs ago and I was laid up for days on end - severe headaches, aching joints, vomiting, etc. Even after all these had past, I was left feeling like a well-washed rag for a couple of weeks. All in all I had a Doc's note for a month off work.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

Hi

We cannot vaccinate against the Common Cold as there are so many viruses capable of causing it.

Re: But We still Keep Catching A Common Cold!

Flu is the absolute worst. I had it when I was 14. Two weeks off school but I barely recall anything about it, apart from feeling like I was about to die.