How to avoid Spain’s notorious summer colds

EVEN the word ‘cold’ gives the game away. We British people can’t shake the belief that the illness we know so well – blocked up with mucus, coughing and sneezing on everyone – is caused by cold weather.
Spanish people have an entirely different idea. They have a different concept. ser resfriado – a condition of being infected. They have no word for the common flu.
Did you know one fifth of colds occur in the summer? Did you know that vitamin C has no effect on colds?
If you stop and think about it, the answer is obvious. Some scientists do not believe that viruses are living.
You can think of it as a floating piece of DNA. Inhaling it causes it to “come into life” by using your fluids and warmth. It feeds off your body for a couple of days and creates millions of new viruses.
It will also exploit your defenses to spread their offspring.
It is the body’s way of protecting itself. The viruses have learned to irritate the nose and throat, causing us to cough and sneeze.
Tiny droplets of mucus fly out of our mouths and noses, ‘launching’ the next generation of viruses into the air.
Think about it: When you breathe in the cold virus you are actually swallowing a piece of someone else’s nasal snot.
This is why it doesn’t matter what time of year it is – viruses are just getting on with their lives – they neither know nor care what the season is.
All the vitamins on the planet have no effect. The virus has taken control of your body and it must run its course.
Why do the majority of colds occur in winter?
Answer: Our human immune system.
Our defences are lowered when we suddenly move from a warm place to a cool one.
And logically, remaining in a virus-rich environment increases the chances of being ‘invaded’. Three hours on a plane is an example.
All the passengers and crew share the same oxygen, inhaling it repeatedly.
Our precious summer holiday is also blamed by doctors. We work hard and then stop suddenly for a few weeks to lie on the beach.
Estanislao Nistal, PhD in Virology says: “Studies show that a sudden, drastic change in activity can have a negative impact on our defenses”.
How can we protect ourselves against summer colds this year?
Doctor Nistal advises that you:
* keep your surroundings ventilated
* wash your hands frequently
* steer clear of infected people
* avoid sudden changes in temperature
* eat a balanced diet

Is there anything that we can do if we are infected with a virus and medicines have no effect?
Yes, there is good news. Treat the symptoms.
* Paracetamol will reduce pain and fever.
* Dextromethorphan is effective against coughs.
* Chlorphenamine reduces runny noses and sneezing.
* Caffeine helps us combat fatigue.

The doctor concluded that by reducing sneezing and coughing and the secretions produced, we could also reduce the virus’s vehicle of transmission and, thus, the risk of spreading the infection.
If you notice symptoms that are consistent with an infection of the respiratory system, consult a health professional.
Here in Spain, high-street chemists are very intensively trained and actually enjoy giving advice – so don’t be shy, go in and ask!