It’s been a rainy January, and February will probably have more of the same, until the dry season begins in March. Rain is a welcome boon for many, but a worrisome bane for others. Rain is good because it cools ambient temperature, brings back fresh water into the environmental water cycle, and basically quenches every living thing’s thirst.
For some unfortunate beings, however, getting wet with rain results in the inevitable cough and colds tandem. Whether it is getting briefly drizzled by a few raindrops or getting soaking wet with a sudden downpour, one must take a bath immediately upon reaching home, or suffer the consequences.
Is this mysterious phenomenon, just one of those old wives’ tales, or is there some scientific basis for it? This was never formally taught in medical school but a little research came up with these two most plausible explanations.
One, getting wet in the rain, and not being able to immediately dry off lowers the body’s temperature, and this somehow causes a malfunction of the immune system. The body’s immune system plays a major role in defending against harmful microorganisms. So when the immune system is weakened, viruses and bacteria can play havoc with one’s body.
The other possible explanation is that the sudden change in temperature triggers a vasomotor response which, in layman’s terms, means the blood vessels, particularly of the respiratory tract, become swollen and leaky, resulting in runny noses and increased mucus secretions in the air passages causing the person to cough, in a subconscious effort to expel the excess mucus produced.
So let’s say, you are one of those people who are quite reactive to rain, you got rained upon, and now you have cough and colds. What should you do now?
Here are some tried- and-tested remedies when afflicted with rain induced-cough and colds:
Hydrate well, drink plenty of water. Almost all the chemical reactions in our bodies occur in a watery environment. Help your body fight off abnormal conditions by providing a good environment for the body’s chemical activities.
Eat healthy. It is not enough to eat plenty, it is important to eat right. Give your body’s defense systems enough fuel to battle against intruders.
Practice a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly. Find something interesting to keep your body moving. Some like to go to the gym, some like to bike, run or swim. Some like to dance, some are into yoga, cross-fit, mixed martial arts. Whatever floats your boat, and keeps your heart rate up, do it! Of course, these should be done when you are not currently sick. Prevention is indeed better than cure. When you are sick, get plenty of rest instead.
Flu vaccines are recommended for those aged 65 and above, as well as for persons with preexisting heart or lung conditions. Persons in this vulnerable category usually have a worse experience with flu that is why annual vaccination is advised.
Symptomatic treatment with over the counter medications. It is alright to take anti-colds, anti-cough, anti-fever or anti-histamine medications that are sold in boticas even without prescriptions. Just bear in mind that these medicines do not cure the problem, they only make the healing process more tolerable.
How about antibiotics? Are they indicated in rain-triggered cough and colds? Antibiotics are amazing chemicals that help the body fight bacterial infections.
However, they are not indicated in the early management of rain-induced respiratory problems or viral infections. Viral infections are self-limiting, usually lasting for only three to five days, and do not need antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotics are indicated only when there is a bacterial infection on top of a viral infection.
So what are the signs that the problem is no longer just an allergy or a viral infection? The following are the changes to watch out for: Change in color of the phlegm from whitish to either gray, yellow or green. Increase in the amount of coughed-up secretions. Worsening cough. Persistent fever. Increased severity of body malaise (general feeling of bodily weakness or discomfort), and easy fatigability (feeling very tired).
An antibiotic is most probably needed at this point. It is best to be seen and examined by a physician who can help determine which type of antibiotic would be best suitable for each condition.
Once upon a time, it was very easy to buy antibiotics without a prescription. But go around the city today, and you will notice that the drugstore salespersons will not sell you antibiotics without a prescription.
Or if you insist on buying antibiotics, they will only allow you to buy if you purchase antibiotics good for the whole course, which is usually seven days.
Why the sudden strictness? Indiscriminate or improper use of antibiotics actually has bad consequences not only for individual patients but for the community at large.
Remember the adage “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”? Well, that is true not only for love and life in general but also true for bacteria as well.
Taking antibiotics short of the recommended dosage and course will result in not killing the bacteria but only “tickling” the bacteria and giving them information about the chemical size, shape, and strength of your antibiotic weapon. The wizened microorganisms then transform themselves into stronger, more vicious, more difficult-to-defeat mutant versions of their original forms. That is how resistant bacteria are born.
And when that happens, the only recourse left will be to extend the antibiotic treatment by increasing the number of days of taking the medicine, or shifting to other stronger, more expensive antibiotics that have more vicious side-effects as well.
Bottom line: Do not take antibiotics indiscriminately. Do not underdose because this will result in the formation of stronger resistant strains.
Finally, do not forget to practice cough etiquette. Cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing so you do not spread your secretions. Always carry a handkerchief or paper tissues. In worst case scenarios, do not hesitate to use your shirt. Better your secretions on your shirt, than on other people.
Do not spit anywhere! Do not spit on the street, on the sidewalk, on the grass or anywhere public. Spit on the sink or toilet, and wash away the spittle.
And if indeed you have a bacterial infection, please do try to stay at home. Get some much-needed rest so your body can recover from your hopefully temporary affliction.
Spread only love. Not germs.
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Author’s email: bagacaycarm@gmail.com
