Product Description
Some colds are like mice, timid and annoying; others like dragons, accompanied by body aches and deep misery. In AH-CHOO!, Jennifer Ackerman explains what, exactly, a cold is, how it works, and whether it's really possible to "fight one off." Scientists call this the Golden Age of the Common Cold because Americans suffer up to a billion colds each year, resulting in 40 million days of missed work and school and 100 million doctor visits. They've also learned over the past decade much more about what cold viruses are, what they do to the human body, and how symptoms can be addressed. In this ode to the odious cold, Ackerman sifts through the chatter about treatments-what works, what doesn't, and what can't hurt. She dispels myths, such as susceptibility to colds reflects a weakened immune system. And she tracks current research, including work at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, a world-renowned center of cold research studies, where the search for a cure continues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Not So Common Cold
According to Jennifer Ackerman, author of Ah-Choo, the average adult will suffer approximately 200 colds in a lifetime with each one occurring about twice a year.This translates into about five years of cold symptoms and a full year in bed. That is a lot of Kleenex tissues!

In Ah-Choo, Ackerman investigates how colds are transmitted; the latest research developments for preventing/curing the "common" cold; and the best treatment of cold symptoms.Unfortunately, much of the medical research detailed by Ackerman does not provide significant hope for cure, prevention, or even treatment of a cold.Rather it appears that due to the cold's evolving nature a cure is long way off.Moreover, the best ways to prevent a cold are the low tech methods: engaging in frequent hand washing, refraining from touching/contaminating one's face; and avoiding children (who are the frequent bearers of cold viruses) - which is, of course, highly impractical for parents and teachers.As for treating a cold, a single ibuprofen (or other analgesic), rest, and maybe chicken soup are all that are recommended.Counter intuitively, a cold victim should think twice before trying to build up his/her immune system.One take away from Ah-Choo is that "cold symptoms do not result from the destructive effects of viruses . . .[rather the symptoms are] in response to the presence of a virus [that] the body sets in motion."In other words, the immune system is battling the virus by creating the symptoms that make one miserable!

Overall, Ah-Choo does an excellent job of translating technical medical research into a highly readable format for lay readers.

Publisher: Twelve (September 2, 2010), 256 pages.
Advance review copy provided courtesy of the publisher.

BookHounds [...]
I don't think I will ever see the cure of the common cold in my lifetime, but this book makes me feel better about them and the fact that there is not much you can do but rest and recover.And everything your mom always told you is pretty much true.My mother always said to keep your hands away from your face, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, drink lots of water and have some soup.This book shows you that mom always did know best. Oh, and keep away from small children, they are walking germ factories.

Some of the things in this book are truly scary.I mean how often do you think about cleaning out your washing machine?Just think about washing your underwear and where you wear those underthings.Yes, pretty gross.The author goes into detail about the history and treatments that are known to work and are worth buying although, so far, not much. ... Read more

Product Description
An all-natural Rx for the common cold. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

It works!
I've used the techniques in this book, and along with some dietary changes and other natural remedies, I haven't had a full-fledged cold in over 6 years now! I must tell you that this is a complete 360 degree turn-around for me. You see, I used to catch a cold with every change of the seasons!
Dr. Sahelian also makes note that prevention is also a key factor. He lists four common factors that increase our risks of catching colds and flu: lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, and smoking.
All in all this is a great little book. It mentions other natural and herbal immune-boosters and remedies versus conventional medicine, why some studies on zinc may have been flawed, and inforamation on flu vaccines as well.

What A Help For Fighting And Eliminating The Common Cold!
In this book, Dr.Sahelian and Ms.Toews advocate the use of Vitamin C, Echinacia, and Zinc Losenges as well as other vitamin supplements and herbalsupplements to boost an individual's immune system to fight off thecommon cold or flu.If a simple course of the first three referenced itemsare used at the first symptoms of a cold, and are used several times a day,and for a couple of daysthereafter, a common cold can be eradicated mostquickly!I've tried Dr.Sahelian's formula and it works!If the cold cureformula is used in the later stages of a cold or flu, symptoms can bedramatically reduced!

This book is written in a very easy to read anduse format.Much scientific evidence is provided to back up Dr.Sahelian'sand Ms.Toews' claims.In addition, the authors provide a review of herbsused to boost the human immune system and other helpful advice on boostingone's immune system to fight off colds!

A must read for anyone withchildren who always bring home colds and viruses, or anyone with acompromised immune system.Actually this bookcould help anyone infighting the common cold and flu!Nobody likes being sick and losingprecious time to nursing a rotton cold!This book with its advice canhelp! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great book! Unfortunately, very old edition
This book is amazingly interesting!

Unfortunately, it was printed in 1982, and the paper looks very old.

I strongly recommend it, whereas reader has to be aware that the scientific results presented in this book are at least 30 years old...

One of the most important books ever written
Vitamin C is so important for health that the vast majority of animals manufacture it daily in their bodies. This is why animals can live outdoors even in the winter without getting colds or most other illnesses. Being healthy is important to animals because if an animal gets sick it usually becomes eaten by a healthy animal. Only a few animals -- principally humanes, monkeys, and apes -- cannot manufacture vitamin C. The inability to manufacture vitamin C confines monkeys and apes to live in or near the tropics, where the weather is warm and edible fruits and vegetation is very rich in vitamin C and thus can supply their need for this essential nutrient. Outside the tropics they would get sick and die or be killed. When monkeys and apes are removed from the tropics to live in zoos or as pets, they are routinely fed a diet very rich in vitamin C in order to keep them healthy.

Humans also originated in the tropics and cannot manufacture vitamin C but -- unlike monkeys and apes -- most humans eventually migrated away from the vitamin C rich tropics and spread all over the world to places in which the food supply contains much less vitamin C than is needed to maintain our health. Thus, unlike other animals, we humans routinely get sick with colds and other illnesses which adequate vitamin C would protect us against. Only the invention and use of clothing, shelter, and weapons make it possible for humans to survive the illnesses caused by inadequate vitamin C which we routinely get. Humans are the only animals which routinely get sick and yet generally survive our illnesses. But why should we live with periodic bouts of illness? Why not protect ourselves by taking supplemental vitamin C? This is the argument presented in this outstanding book by the greatest chemist of the 20th century, Dr. Linus Pauling, the only person ever to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. Please acquire and read this valuablebook. If you follow Dr. Pauling's advice and take supplemental vitamin C daily, you will become healthier, may never have another cold, and should be able to survive the global flu pandemic which is predicted to occur soon.

No good
This book is insightful but is not very well organized.Pauling jumps around from thought to thought in almost every chapter.The information is not outdated, but too many of his references are.So much so that it makes it unenjoyable to read.I wouldn't advise anyone purchase this book, here in the year 2000. I would go for one of his later books.

a must,very unique and a book that will recorded in the hist
the author of this book is the father of the orthomolecular-medicine is revealing the vitamin c to the public attention,and explain the mechanism of how this vitamin is strenghening the immune system,while continuing ofstrenghening all of the other parts of the human organism.pauling is alsotalking about the comparison of vitamin c to conventional-drugs.paulingalso explain in this book how the vitamin work in other diseases in thehuman body.the history of the discovery of the vitamin and the effect onscurvy is also explained in this very interesting book, and the findings oftwo other vitamin c pionneering researches like:irwin-stone, and albertszent gyorgy are also explained in this very educative-must book. ... Read more

Product Description

The common cold is unlike any other human disease. It seems impossible to defeat and affects all of us on a regular basis. Due to the large number of viruses causing colds any specific cure is a major challenge.

This unique book brings together a wide range of topics, from our ancestors’ views about disease, followed by the questions why and how we sneeze, cough and get a runny nose, to the intricacies of host-virus interactions and immunological phenomena on the molecular level. Popular treatments, "over the counter" medicines and interventions are reviewed. Finally recent developments and new treatment options are highlighted.

Customer Reviews (3)

Vitamin C and the common cold by Linus Pauling.
Are folks aware that 97% of the vitamin C is now produced from China! It is like Aspirin, just another natural wonder supplement doing marvelous thing for our health. The author iproviding others a complete resources of informations. K.L.

Vitamin C is essential for good health
Vitamin C is so important for health that the vast majority of animals manufacture it daily in their bodies. This is why animals can live outdoors even in the winter without getting colds or most other illnesses. Being healthy is important to animals because if an animal gets sick it usually becomes eaten by a healthy animal. Only a few animals -- principally humanes, monkeys, and apes -- cannot manufacture vitamin C. The inability to manufacture vitamin C confines monkeys and apes to live in or near the tropics, where the weather is warm and edible fruits and vegetation is very rich in vitamin C and thus can supply their need for this essential nutrient. Outside the tropics they would get sick and die or be killed. When monkeys and apes are removed from the tropics to live in zoos or as pets, they are routinely fed a diet very rich in vitamin C in order to keep them healthy.

Humans also originated in the tropics and cannot manufacture vitamin C but -- unlike monkeys and apes -- most humans eventually migrated away from the vitamin C rich tropics and spread all over the world to places in which the food supply contains much less vitamin C than is needed to maintain our health. Thus, unlike other animals, we humans routinely get sick with colds and other illnesses which adequate vitamin C would protect us against. Only the invention and use of clothing, shelter, and weapons make it possible for humans to survive the illnesses caused by inadequate vitamin C which we routinely get. Humans are the only animals which routinely get sick and yet generally survive our illnesses. But why should we live with periodic bouts of illness? Why not protect ourselves by taking supplemental vitamin C? This is the argument presented in this outstanding book by the greatest chemist of the 20th century, Dr. Linus Pauling, the only person ever to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. Please acquire and read this valuable book. If you follow Dr. Pauling's advice and take supplemental vitamin C daily, you will become healthier, may never have another cold, and should be able to survive the global flu pandemic which is predicted to occur soon.

By the way, Pauling revised this book and retitled the revision Vitamin C, the Common Cold, and the Flu.

GREAT BOOK!!! Vitamin C and the Common Cold by Linus Pauling
THIS IS A FANTASTIC BOOK . . . . . . . . . EVERYBODY SHOULD READ IT.
Dr. Pauling discovered that Vitamin C affects every cell in our bodies and we need it DAILY.
Years ago, by reading this book at age 28, I discovered that Vitamin C'deficiency' was causing
the major joint problems I was having at the time [deficiency sometimes mimics rheumatism].
The information in this book helped correct my problems after only 3 days taking the Vitamin C
supplements recommended by Dr. Pauling!....I will always take Vitamin C. ... Read more

Product Description
Explains how people catch colds, how the body fights the germs, how colds are spread, and what precautions people can take against them.. ... Read more

Product Description
Billions of dollars are spent annually on over-the-counter cold and flu medications that do nothing to cure a cold.Many actually surpresss the immune system and produce unpleasant, even harmful side-effects. Turkington reveals hundreds of powerful, doctor approved remedies made at home using safe, inexpensive, all-natural ingredients ... Read more

Product Description
Cold Wars tells the story of the common cold, the most widespread disease of all.From ancient Egypt to the space age, colds have plagued mankind, and many attempts have been made to find a cure.Today, we spend millions of pounds on remedies and businesses lose millions of pounds through employee sickness- but are we any closer to conquering the cold?In the aftermath of the Second World War, a concerted effort was made in the UK to resolve the scientific conundrum of the common cold.A Common Cold Unit was established near Salisbury, making use of some rather primitive facilities provided by the American Red Cross, and for nearly 50 years was part of the British medical establishment.Much of the research was done on volunteers, who came in large numbers to the CCU to spend days in isolation while scientists attempted to give them a cold.Many eminent scientists, including James Lovelock, were part of the attempt to understand the common cold. This book begins with a brief history of colds through the centuries, describing what earlier generations believed and the strange treatments they tried.That the cold was caused by a virus was only uncovered at the beginning of the last century.The authors vividly describe the establishment of the Common Cold Unit, and its work in uncovering the causes and transmission of the cold and analysing possible treatments.Finally, they assess the progress made in recent years in understanding the psychological aspects of colds, and the latest research on prevention and cures. Cold Wars offers a fascinating account of an eccentric, but effective, attempt to unravel the mysteries of the common cold. ... Read more

Product Description
Parallel stories describe how a young boy feels when he comes down with a cold and how his body's defenses fight the infection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Learn all about the common cold, what it is and how to prevent one.Ah-choo!

Oh, ah, ah. . .choo!It's cold season again and you swear that you catch every one of them coming down the pike and you're getting very good playing wastebasket basketball with your used tissues.You realize you probably won't get seriously ill, but you can get really miserable every time you get one.Most kids get "six to ten colds a year" and there are many symptoms.Sometimes you'll only get a few, but other times you have several.Among the many uncomfortable symptoms can be coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, a stuffy nose, a sore throat, a hoarse voice and a tired, achy feeling.

There are more than 200 viruses that can cause a cold and our bodies cannot build up resistance to all of them.These viruses attach themselves to cells and multiply. In fact in just one day, "as many as ninety million viruses can be made in your nose and throat."When you sneeze you can release up to 20,000 in a single sneeze!In this book you will learn just how far a sneeze will spread these germs, how our bodies produce antibodies, barriers the body has to prevent cold germs from entering our bodies, why colds are contagious, how germs spread (grab those tissues!), you'll learn to tell the difference between a cold and the flu, how to treat a cold and how to stay healthy.

This book, targeted to children in grades two and up, gives an excellent overview of the common cold and how to prevent getting and spreading them.There are full color photographs (some microscopic), informative sidebars, a glossary (words are in bold print in the text) an index and additional recommended book and web site resources. Did you know that the ancient Romans thought that if you kissed "the nose of a hairy mouse" would help cure a cold?YUK! ... Read more

Product Description
It's not always easy to separate facts from folklore when it comes to fighting colds and flu. Is it true that ginger can help? Is exercise a good idea or a bad idea?Is it "starve a cold and feed a fever"...or the other way around? Health writer Richard Trubo explores the current developments in both traditional and alternative medicine to help you decide what the right treatment is for you--for a healing approach that's natural, safe, and effective. ... Read more

Product Description
Flu and common cold are preventable even without drugs or herbs. Natural methods from Chinese medicine including acupressure and acupuncture can be used for the prevention and treatment of influenza and common cold. These prevention methods have been proven quite effective in history and are still used today. For healing colds and flu, non-drug methods and acupuncture point prescriptions are collected here. These natural healing methods include acupressure, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy, and auricular (ear) acupuncture. Locations of these acupuncture points are provided. Differential diagnosis types of colds and flu are described for personalized treatment. Therapeutic principles and needle manipulation methods are recommended for each type. Acupuncture point prescriptions from some ancient traditional Chinese medicine classics are collected. These classics provide the guidance of selecting the most effective acupuncture points from hundreds of years of experience. ... Read more

Product Description
This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to the common cold (also Common cold; Upper respiratory infection; Viral upper respiratory infection), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on the common cold. Given patients' increasing sophistication in using the Internet, abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources are provided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidance is provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary research results as well as more detailed information via the Internet. E-book and electronic versions of this sourcebook are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). Hard-copy users of this sourcebook can type cited Web addresses directly into their browsers to obtain access to the corresponding sites. In addition to extensive references accessible via the Internet, chapters include glossaries of technical or uncommon terms. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on December 1, 2002. The length of the article is 890 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Echinacea for the common cold. (Alternative Medicine).
Author: Nancy Walsh
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2002
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 32Issue: 23Page: 18(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more