Ah-choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold

Ah-choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold by Jennifer Ackerman

Summary: Some colds are like mice, timid and annoying; others like dragons, accompanied by body aches and deep misery. In AH-CHOO!, Jennifer Ackerman explains what, exactly, a cold is, how it works, and whether it's really possible to "fight one off." Scientists call this the Golden Age of the Common Cold because Americans suffer up to a billion colds each year, resulting in 40 million days of missed work and school and 100 million doctor visits. They've also learned over the past decade much more about what cold viruses are, what they do to the human body, and how symptoms can be addressed. In this ode to the odious cold, Ackerman sifts through the chatter about treatments-what works, what doesn't, and what can't hurt. She dispels myths, such as susceptibility to colds reflects a weakened immune system. And she tracks current research, including work at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, a world-renowned center of cold research studies, where the search for a cure continues. Angie's Comments: An interesting look at the common cold! I hadn’t realized that there are so many viruses that cause the cold, and that the symptoms of a cold are really the immune system’s response to the viruses. Of course, I doubt that that knowledge will comfort me when I next have a cold. There are some very practical tips to avoid catching the common cold, as well as advice from the cold experts on what to do if you do have a cold. This is a practical look at the common cold, which manages to be engaging. And now when I do catch cold again, I will know that it is a different strain from the other colds that I had. Great for parents with children, people who catch colds often, and people who are interested in learning about viruses. Request this item