The cold chain Published Oct. 12, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The leaves are changing colors and are drifting down to their doom on the soon-to-be frosty ground. Just as summer turns to fall and fall turns to winter, sneezes and sniffles will soon be heard base wide as the locale transforms into a winter wonderland. It starts with some sort of virus. Then, those germs can be scattered by touching commonly shared objects or others can inhale the germs from the air. From there begins the cold chain. A child with a cold attends school and spreads the germs. More children within the school become sick and bring it home to their parents. The parents get sick. The parents go to work and again spread one of the most common illnesses, the cold. And so on, as we stay in close quarters with others due to the weather, the cold continues to spread and re-spread until the crisp spring weather brings comfort to our ailments. The symptoms of the cold are many, and all of them are a bother. "Symptoms can include runny nose, cough, congestion, fever, and ear pressure," said Capt. Glenn Little, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron physician assistant. Others are mucus build up and difficulty breathing through the nose, sinus swelling, sneezing, sore throat, and headache. Once someone is infected, it may take about two to three days to show symptoms of the cold, according to the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases web site. And with the cold comes a search for treatment. It is recommended to "drink a lot of fluids, cut back on caffeine, wash hands frequently, and stick to the manufacturer's directions on over-the-counter cold products," said Captain Little. "Caffeine can dehydrate you, so water is your best bet, followed by sports drinks, juices, and anything else without caffeine." Wouldn't it be nice, though, if people didn't get colds. If everyone could get through the chilling winter months without boxes upon boxes of tissue at their side and cough drops stuffed into their pockets. There are a few ways to try to prevent the common cold. "As with treating the cold, it's a good idea to keep up on the fluids and frequently wash your hands," Capt. Little noted. "It's also good to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make sure that your immunizations are up to date." It is common. That's why they call it the common cold. But hopefully with that jug of water, frequent hand washing and a bit of luck, this irritating illness will keep its distance. (Information from the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases web site was used in this story.)