10 Myths On How To Treat or Stop A Common Cold, Part One

What is just as common as the common cold? How about those countless false beliefs concerning the illness? It is bad enough that a successful cure to the common cold has yet to be found, but the myths that surround it makes it even harder to deal with.

Some of the more wide-spread myths of cold prevention and treatment are enumerated below:

1) Chicken soup cures the common cold …and the cold.

You’ll come across no shortage of people who believe in the effectiveness of this age-old remedy. And why not? Chicken soup makes a wholesome meal, especially when the appropriate vegetables are floating in the broth. Although the soup does not cure the common cold or even end it early, it can help provide nutrients that help the body sustain itself through the illness.

Plus, fluids are always a help in dealing with the cold virus. Steaming hot chicken soup not only contributes some significant fluids, but its steamy heat can also help relieve congestion, however briefly. It often ads to the comfort level of the patient, and provides a light food that is less likely to nauseate a sick patient.

2) A cold can be stopped with Antibiotics.

Antibiotics are great for attacking a variety of fungi, parasites, and bacteria. They have an excellent reputation as a valuable tool in fighting many ailments and infections. Regrettably, the common cold is a result of a virus; antibiotics do not kill viruses and are totally ineffective in fighting the common cold.

In fact antibiotics should be avoided except when absolutely necessary, because bacteria that are over-exposed to them will actually develop an immunity. This means excessive use of antibiotics will lessen their effectiveness when they are needed in life threatening situations.

Two down, eight to go. Keep on reading to discover more myths about common cold prevention and treatments.

<< The Big Deal With Common Cold Prevention
10 Myths On How To Treat A Common Cold, Part Two >>