Dear body

[motorollin]

Dear body,

I have just learned that the viral attack of a cold actually ends several days prior to the onset of symptoms, and that these symptoms are caused by a mostly useless over-reaction of the immune system. So I just wanted to let you know that it's ok; you can stop producing mucous now!

Thanks for understanding
Me

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moto

[motorollin]

Have just discovered that Nytol is a pretty good cold remedy. Makes sense, since it's active ingredient is an anti-histamine, which suppresses the immune system.

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moto

[motorollin]

I don't have the time to let my body sort it out. Every day I'm too ill to study is a wasted day. And all because some ignorant b1tch sitting behind me in a lecture couldn't be bothered to cover her face while she was sneezing :madashell:  :madashell:  :madashell:  :madashell:  :madashell:

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moto

[motorollin]

da9000 wrote:
Speaking of covering up when sneezing etc, I was astounded when I was in Japan to see people walking around with "painter's masks"!

Believe it or not, I have often considered doing this myself. Sitting on trains for 4 hours a day with inconsiderate, unwell people, with air circulating round the air conditioning system, and spending all day in a room with 80-odd other people. I often think of covering my face to avoid getting ill.

da9000 wrote:
I was joking to my Japanese friends that "here in Japan you guys have an over abundance of painters", but in all reality they were playing it smart. Imagine a city the size of Tokyo getting hit by a flue or virus and how quickly it'd spread?!

Good point! In a dense population the whole city would be infected in no time. Mind you, that many infections might end up with somebody developing immunity :idea:

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moto

[motorollin]

bloodline wrote:
Well... I honestly don't know how much use a paper filter would be against virus and even bacterial infection... though it would definitely reduce the amount of airborne pollutants that you would breath... I suppose most airborne viruses are carried via water droplets, and for sure, the mask would reduce the number you breath...

I suppose it depends on how fine the mesh is. If it's fine enough it might stop the microbes from penetrating to your face. Might be a bit hard to breathe through it though ;-) In all seriousness, medics use them so the must work to some extent.

bloodline wrote:
But I remember reading somewhere that most infections are actually spread via physical contact... i.e. from face to hand to object to hand to face... Wash your hands :-)

Hmm, I do tend to touch my face quite a lot, rub my eyes, bite my fingernails, chew pens etc. Perhaps I should stop that...

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moto

[motorollin]

Oliver wrote:
I'm not sure, but I think the medics' masks are more to prevent transport in the other direction, such as someone accidentally spraying spittle over a compound fracture.

Hmm yes, you're probably right. Hazmat suit from now on then ;-)

Oliver wrote:
When I was in north China, a lot of people wore cotton masks. The air was pretty dirty, and it was bitterly cold. One doctor told me not to wear a mask, as it would increase the chance of me getting sick. Wearing a mask caused a lot of warm condensation in the cloth covering the face, which I think may be a good breeding ground for whatever is in the air, or already in your mouth/nose.

I did wonder about that actually. Presumably this isn't a problem for medics who change their masks regularly.

Oliver wrote:
That was interesting to know about the immune response to colds though. I had often wondered why people vary so much in their responses. Some of my Asian friends get a strong response for 24-48 hours, and then are fine. I usually will be crappy for 1-2 weeks, which I think helps to get futher infections.

I'm the same; I usually feel run-down and lethargic for about a week, then for 2 days feel so ill I want to die. Interesting things, viruses. There are only two ways it can play out for the virus: the host wins and the virus is destroyed, or the virus wins, the host dies, and is no longer able to sustain the virus. Either way the virus dies. So at least the rhinoviruses have evolved to exploit our immune system to ensure it is transmitted to a new host before its inevitable destruction. Clever!

Oliver wrote:
Personaly, after spending a year or so in China, I don't get nearly so sick any more. It's a real kick for the immune system.

Really? How so?

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moto

[motorollin]

That's really interesting! Think I need to go to China for a bit then ;-)

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moto

[motorollin]

 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

There's one in this thread speel ;-)

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moto

[motorollin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
A part[./i] of it, moto, a part of it.

Which part did you want to see? :nervous: ;-)

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
That thread looks worthwhile to resurrect :-D

Go on then :-)

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moto

[motorollin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
I don't want see parts. I prefer to see things as a whole. :-D

I think you would probably be disappointed!

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moto

[motorollin]

bloodline wrote:
I'm rather partial to a bit of minge myself

Which bit?

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moto

[motorollin]

bloodline wrote:
The above quote was supposed to be said with a Welsh accent.. a la Little Britain :-)

Actually I did read it that way :-)

bloodline wrote:
But you ask a good question... and I guess I really should sample a little more before I make up my mind :-D

Take your time - I wouldn't understand anyway ;-)

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moto