I've never had this many colds. Is something wrong with me? : Student Health Services

I've never had this many colds. Is something wrong with me?

Posted: November 4, 2010

sheknows.com

The Columbus Dispatch ran a special health section about colds and flu this weekend which included a number of fairly well-done pieces. I found a few informative bits myself, and am going to use this quote from local primary care provider Donna Donati, MD: "Colds spend four days coming, four days here, and four days going." For those of you keeping score, that's 12 days. I'd add a few days at the end, actually, for nasal congestion and cough to resolve completely.

It's pretty typical for the average adult to have five or six colds through the course of cold and flu season, which, if you're keeping score, means SIXTY-plus days of viral misery. In other words, two-plus months of snot does not necessarily mean you're dying or have a "weak immune system" (a common complaint). It means you're normal.

For more great information from the Dispatch on how to handle cold and flu season:

This year's flu vaccine

How to wash your hands

Sick at work? Health experts say ‘Go home'.

Vitamins? Zinc? Soup? Everyone has a ‘cure'.

Fighting patients' pleas for antibiotics

Your head says cold but your body says influenza

Can you jog when your nose runs?

Victoria Rentel, MD
Student Health Services
The Ohio State University