Colds and Flu

@kavita23 (2995)
India
December 22, 2006 7:56am CST
I hope nobody actually answers this and sticks to comments only. The reason being is that I feel the information should be made available to as many as possible. So, call it a "community service" question if you wish. Flu and cold season is here again, and yep, I've already got it. So bad that I'm not only talking through my nose, but typing through it as well. ( I know, eeeeeewwwwww ) I haven't been exactly socially active and among crowds the last few weeks but I am fairly certain where I picked it up. My doctor seems to agree. He thinks it may well be one of the most common methods of spreading the diseases and very few people ever think about it. People carefully avoid touching door knobs or handles, wash their hands, etc, but most all make the same, usually overlooked error. The ubiquitous shopping cart. It gets handled by dozens of people a day. How many of you have ever noticed kids with runny noses pushing a cart for mommy? How many of you have seen somebody make a back of their hand swipe at their nose, then go back to pushing the cart? I don't need to list many examples for you to get the picture. Not only do people push their carts with their bare hands, but when they remove an item from the shelf and put it into the cart, viruses and bacteria from the cart handle are transferred to the item directly, such as on fruit and vegetables, or to the packaging of processed items. Now some of you may think I am going to suggest wearing rubber gloves while shopping. Nope, it will do little good at all. Bacteria from the cart handle will still be on the gloves and will still get transferred to goods handled. And the disposal of the gloves themselves may be a problem. My suggested solution. Carry a small packet of antibacterial cleaning wipes with you, such as "Wet Ones Kids Antibacterial Wipes" or some other similar product, and wipe the cart handle thoroughly before using it. Now the wipes will kill most of the bacteria, and even viruses which they might not kill, will still be greatly lowered in number just from the cleaning itself. Now many people seeing you do this may very well think you are nuts. ( many people already think I am nuts, so it doesn't bother me in the least ) Suggest to local store managers that they could hand out a antibacterial wipe to customers as they enter the store. It could even be promoted as a "community service' action taken by the store. Actually some very cheap advertising for them if promoted properly. Comments appreciated. Cheers and safe shopping Digsalot
5 people like this
30 responses
• Indonesia
23 Dec 06
yes.. i agree with my sis. Drink a lot of water. it will reduce Ur heat (if U already got flue) And eat vitamin C fruit like orange. It will raise Ur antibody and make U not easy get flue ^^
1 person likes this
• Janesville, Wisconsin
22 Dec 06
No, That is not good idea. Because Anti bacterial stuff being overly used. Makes the Bacteria mutate and become more resistent to this, and then it will no longer work to kill the bacteria. The Best things to do is just to wash your hands often with regular soap and water. Not the anti bacertial stuff unless you been handling, meat, or something with bacteria for sure, and make sure it all goes down the drain... Not all strains of bacteria are deadly, But if I have a cold. Then use the anti bacterial stuff to help stop it from spreading or viral but do not over use it more than you have to, or it will mutate, and the anti bacterial and virus stuff will no longer work. - DNatureofDTrain
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
22 Dec 06
I agree to keep washing your hands with soap and hot water. I carry around a tissue in my purse in case I need to wipe my nose, it's just gross to use your hand and then touch something. I also have a bottle of hand sanitizer for use when I do blow my nose.
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
@vipul20044 (5793)
• India
22 Dec 06
Well that is bad that you caught a flu but here what happens to me is usually a transition from summers to winters or excessive exposure of temperature causing cold and flu
23 Dec 06
More than likely sinus problems than cold or flus.
@Kylalynn (1771)
• South Africa
22 Dec 06
You are more aware than most people. I have never thought about all the germs on shopping carts. I think your idea of wiping them wet wipes is a great idea although I doubt if the supermarkets here would give them away. I will be wiping trolley handles that I use in future. Thanks for an interesting post.
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
• India
22 Dec 06
Well thats is an interesting point . But how may we keep away from mouse and keyboard , which is also handled by many? I consider it a greater risk ..
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
• India
29 Dec 06
its very painful desies
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
@scorpius (1792)
• India
23 Dec 06
actually i had the cold abt 4 days back .i am allright now but yeahi know exactly how you feel.very lethargic and very tired.but it is just a phase and it will soon go off!
@shyam221 (519)
• India
23 Dec 06
it very common every body got cold once in the month .very nice article you have given thanks keep going on...........
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
22 Dec 06
This is so true. I to have just got over it. And I swear I got it from the shopping carts. I will carry the disposiable wipes for now on. The one store I shop at does have the wipes available for use. I have never used them but I will now.
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
• India
23 Dec 06
Actually i have an allergy due to which i use to have flu or cold throughout the year. Even in summer days, my nose just kept flowing. I am too tired of it. All the doctors to whom i have consulted told me that i have to go through a surgery but even after that it would happen anytime again. They say the meat inside my nose has grown bigger. I don't know what they call this allergy in medical terms.
@s1payz (146)
• Indonesia
23 Dec 06
just suggest Buying antibiotic
@shankk (83)
• Australia
22 Dec 06
I think wat u hv written is too much n please be simple....hope u wont mind it...:)
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
29 Jan 07
thnx for posting me ur response. happy mylot day for good earning.
• Indonesia
22 Dec 06
Avoid dirty air.... :D
@kavita23 (2995)
• India
22 Dec 06
only air
@yogesh66 (1117)
• India
29 Jan 07
I am not tell any thng about this becz i am not a medical for feild but i am say that only happy mylot day for earn lot of money.
@phon4u (2215)
• Laos
23 Dec 06
Drink water as much as you can, Orange juice and lemen are also good for relieving cold or flu as well as drink tea mixed with lemonade.
@luolei (166)
23 Dec 06
i hope you can love it
@telulas (459)
• Indonesia
23 Dec 06
ohh.. flu is virus and flu is cold.. i suffered..
@harivinod (781)
• India
23 Dec 06
thanks for the article
@chanfrado (1157)
• Portugal
23 Dec 06
Eating oranges helps to prevent cold and flu!
@amitheone (274)
• Philippines
23 Dec 06
To avoid flus and colds always wash your hands and never touch or play with your nose. If you can't help it because it's itchy, use a clean hankerchief. I always think that you'll catch the flu because you didn't wash your hands and you accidentally touch or rub your nose. It pays to pay attention in what you touch. People always leaves bacteria.