The Common Cold

Do Alaskans and Northern Canadians have more and worse colds than people living in the more temperate regions to the south? Evidently not, although colds among peoples of the tropics are less common and less severe than those of residents of temperate climate.

The common cold is caused by virus infection and is communicable only among Chimpanzees and humans; no other animals are susceptible. Whether there is a single cold virus or many is not known.

But it is known that getting chilled or wet does not contribute to catching cold. One is far more likely to catch cold following an auto accident, according to Dr. John Thigh, director of the University of Alaska's Life Sciences Division at Fairbanks. In fact, he says, severe trauma of any kind is frequently followed by the victim's catching cold.

The natural resistance to infection when exposed to cold virus varies from person to person, and an individual's susceptibility may change over the years. It may be hard to sort out just how much a person's resistance depends upon attitude and emotional well-being as well as upon physical factors. In my case, I have noticed that I usually catch cold at the end of every vacation. Evidently the shock of having to go back to work is too much for my system.