Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511210087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
S.B., Salem
A: You'll never convince everyone of this argument.
Not even if you cite half a dozen scientific studies that show the common cold is caused by a virus transmitted person to person.
For every study you cite, someone in the group can tell about the time she, or someone she knows, got really cold and woke up with the sniffles the next day.
Seldom do we know exactly when and where we've been exposed to a cold virus - unless someone sneezes in our face.
We are more likely to get the unseen virus from a handshake, or immediate contact with a telephone or other surface that has just been used by a carrier.
When we fall victim, we look for something to blame. Remembering our most recent chilling experience provides as good an excuse as any.
Cold weather contributes to the spread of colds, though. It keeps us indoors and increases our person-to-person contact.
Stress affects our colds frequency, too, by draining our energy and resistance.
There's no better defense than to wash our hands frequently and to keep fingers away from the mouth.
Once we get a cold, there aren't many treatments better than resting, drinking liquids and taking aspirin (or other fever- and ache-reducers or antihistamines).
Chicken soup, vitamin C, coffee - all these are good for the victim, but the cold's going to last three days no matter what.
The debate can be confused by the hated sinus infection, which masquerades as a common cold.
Sinus infections are caused by bacteria. That's good, because we can get antibiotics for bacterial illnesses.
Sinus trouble often follows a cold, showing up a few days later. Other times, a sinus infection is spawned from the victim's previous bout with the same bug.
Speaking from personal experience, I'm open to persuasion that inhaling too much cold air may tenderize sinuses and give those bacteria a jump-start.|
Old PCs in demand|
Q: Where can I send a used but useable personal computer to a local school? I've read about used computers being given to schools and wondered if they're being renovated and used properly.|
|S.C., Floyd A: The used-computer demand is high in schools.
There are several potential recipients. You need look no farther than Floyd, where Linda Petrie, instructional supervisor for the county schools, would be glad to hear from you at 745-9400.
But if you do look farther, Marcia Quesenberry at the Southwest Virginia Public School Foundation can place your PC in one of 16 public school systems between Lee and Wythe counties. She's at 540-328-0233.
In Roanoke, the West End Center has an after-school home-away-from-home for neighborhood youngsters. They need computers. Call 342-0902.
A major computer rehab program for schools is provided in the Roanoke Valley by members of the Elfun Society, a dozen retired engineers from General Electric.
The valley's chambers of commerce accept the computers. To make a donation, call 983-0700.
In other localities, check with the local school board office. Chances are, those folks would be glad to talk to you.
Gifts to most of these organizations would be tax-deductible, by the way.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB