JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Called the rhinovirus, the primary culprit for causing the common cold is 2,600 times smaller in diameter than the width of a human strand of hair. As tiny as the microorganism is, it can ruin anybody's week with respiratory calamity, and potentially bring office productivity to a grinding halt when the microscopic pest manages to spread.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Moises Ascencion, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 673d Medical Group Public Health communicable disease program, said Alaska's cold and flu season runs from September to May, but measures can be taken to prevent catching and spreading seasonal viruses.
According to the National Institutes of Health website, people in the United States contract an estimated 1 billion colds a year. That means, according to the Centers for Disease Control website, that each American adult has an average of three colds a year, and children have even more.
An ounce of prevention
Both Ascencion and the CDC agree about how to prevent contracting a cold and other seasonal viruses.
The No. 1 measure is to wash hands often with soap and water. The CDC recommends washing for at least 20 seconds and to help children do the same. If soap and water aren't available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can do in a pinch.
Because micro-critters like the Rhinovirus live in the nose and other mucus membranes, it is critical to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Ascencion, who has a family, said the last measure may be the most difficult: staying away from people who are sick. Though avoiding the sick is perhaps the most obvious measure, being meticulous about washing hands and avoiding face touching can help when ducking contact with sick people is not possible.
Preventing the flu
According to the NIH, 5 to 20 percent of Americans contract influenza in any given year. On average, 200,000 are hospitalized with the infectious respiratory disease, and 36,000 die. Patients with immunodeficiency conditions, the elderly, and those with asthma are most at risk.
Because of the health risks of the flu, Ascencion said getting the influenza vaccine is vital. All service members are directed to get the shot. Military family members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians can get the shot at Public Health in the 673d MDG Lynx Wing.
Ascencion acknowledged the vaccine doesn't always protect against influenza, which can mutate into a new strain during the course of the cold and flu season. Due to this fact, following cold-prevention measures are equally as important and effective in avoiding the flu.
What to do if sick
Inevitably, the law of averages will catch up, and most people will catch the cold this year.
Ascencion's advice is simple: stay home, rest and hydrate.
“You always want to rest, especially in the initial phase of the infection,” he said. “You know it's not going to get better in the first day. That's when you want to rest. Just relax and let your body fight the infection.”
Because the human body generates a lot more mucus in an effort to fight the cold or flu, replacing liquids is a key component in recovery.
“Drinking water is probably one of the best medicines for your body,” Ascencion said. “You want to hydrate every day, especially when you're sick.”
According to the CDC, over-the-counter medications may help ease the symptoms of a cold, but they will not speed up recovery. Always read the instructions and use as medicated. Parents should talk to their doctor before giving a child any nonprescription medications.
Ascencion said people should see a medical provider if they suspect they have the flu. The CDC said they should see a provider if their temperature is higher than 100.4, symptoms are unusually severe, or if symptoms last more than 10 days.
Ascencion said providers will administer a simple rapid influenza diagnostic test. If the test is positive, patients can be given antivirals to prevent infections.
“It never hurts to go in and find out it's just a cold versus the flu,” he said. “The biggest thing is you want to get tested.”
Take one for the team
During a base-wide mission-assurance exercise in 2013, Ascencion was sick with a cold. He said he remembered how much he hated being ill knowing someone else would have to pick up the slack for him. However, he also knew how important protecting others was.
“We always recommend people stay home if they're sick, so they don't spread it around at work,” he said.
According to an NIH report, the common cold costs the U.S. economy Nearly $25 billion in lost productivity.
Though Ascencion lamented his sick leave during the 2013 exercise, he said his sole absence was preferable to the potential of having two or three more coworkers get sick and miss work.
For information on getting an influenza vaccination or for any questions about cold and flu season, call 673d MDG Public Health at 580-4014.