In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Ways to fight the common cold

(BBC) Dr. Trisha McNair tells us that contrary to popular belief, "colds aren't usually passed on through airborne droplets or particles, meaning that coughs and sneezes don't necessarily spread cold germs everywhere. McNair details the causes of the common cold, the symptoms, how to treat colds, complications that can arise from colds and how to keep your cold to yourself. McNair includes lots of traditional tips for fighting colds, such as drinking lots of water, using a humidifier, using vapour rubs, sucking throat lozenges, gargling with salt water and getting plenty of rest. This page gives lots of common sense reminders for avoiding colds, such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with other people and using disposable tissues. The BBC has a disclaimer at the bottom of the page stating that this information "should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional".

1.

Can optimism keep you healthy?

nowtoronto.com
This blog questions whether a positive outlook has a healing effect on the body. The blogger lists five "expert" opinions that weigh in on the subject. Three of the experts are professors of psychology, one is a professor of medical education and the other is a "transformational life coach." The first professor of psychology cites examples from studies he performed which showed cancer patients with optimistic attitudes did not live any longer than cancer patients with pessimistic outlooks. The second professor of psychology states that optimistic people are sick less often because they tend to take better care of themselves then pessimists. The third professor of psychology discusses the effects optimism can have on the neuroendocrine pathways in our bodes which affect the immune system. The life coach describes a hormonal link between being positive and having less disease. Only the first expert (the first psychology professor) mentions any actual studies done that back up his point.

2.

New, natural common cold "cures"

Maclean's magazine
This article from Maclean’s Magazine is listed on the Canadian Encyclopedia Historica website. The article discusses the benefits of zinc lozenges for fighting colds. The author cites Gloria Gribling, a woman who began experimenting with alternative cold remedies such as zinc more than a decade ago, before many other people had caught on. The author gives a well-rounded look at the benefits of zinc by quoting people who fully believe in the preventative powers of zinc and those who are more wary of alternative cold remedies.  The article cites a study published by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. The article also quotes a pediatrician. The article also discusses if echinacea is a good alternative cold remedy. The article quotes immunologist Tim Lee, head of a study on echinacea at Dalhousie University in Halifax. The author uses a number of sources from different backgrounds and perspectives to provide a balanced view of the topic.

3.

Herbal remedies for common cold

cassism.blogspot
This is a blog that seems to cover every topic under the sun; this particular entry deals with herbal remedies for the common cold. The blog's author, Cass Maya, is a 24-year-old male who lives in New York. He lists a number of herbs and teas that he says will help fight the common cold but he never says where he gets his information. He mentions that he is only listing some of his favorite remedies since there are too many to list, so he is probably basing his recommendations on his own personal experiences. He includes recipes for different teas to try and says what each tea is supposed to help with. Possible side effects are mentioned near the bottom.

4.

Trials tests echinacea as potential cold fighter

New England Journal of Medicine
This article, written by Dr. Wallace Sampson, discusses the claims that echinacea is a potential treatment for the common cold. Sampson, formerly a practitioner in the Oncology Division at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, Calif., is an emeritus clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif., and editor of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine. He describes the history of echinacea and some of the clinical trials done on the subject. Sampson writes that the trials of effective cold treatments usually show acceptable, consistent results but that alternative remedies are "generally less effective or ineffective, and randomized clinical trials of these remedies measure mostly subjective symptoms". Samson questions why trials are still being done on the subject and promotes what he calls "knowledge-based medicine".

5.

Home remedies for the common cold

Instructables.com
This is a "how to" site for people written by an Instructables member called "discontinuity," who appears to be a teenage guy. His real name and credentials aren't mentioned on the page. He fully admits that his home remedies were created in a "completely non-scientific (and desperate) attempt to feel better". He blames children for his cold and refers to them as "cute little cesspools of disease". The page itself shows a seven-step guide to feeling better, which includes photos he admits he ripped off from the Internet. His tips range from common sense (drink lots of fluids) to creative (drink whiskey). Other tips include showering, chewing gum, taking Vitamin C, eating chicken soup and sleeping. His tips are all from his own personal experience but some of the more common ones (like drinking fluids) would be helpful.