We often take a relaxed attitude about colds, "everyone gets them" They make us feel very, very lousy and we notice that just a little cold can interfere with our ability to concentrate, but we even feel guilty about whining and letting other know how miserable we really do feel, since it's "just a cold."
Well, now to make you feel even worse--researchers at "Mayo's Clinic College have found a surprising link between certain viruses and forgetfulness." Some of the same "picornaviruses that cause colds and diarrhea can cause lasting damage to the memory-governing hippocampus region of the brain." Mice that had experienced a cold through being injected with the virus could not negotiate a maze that had once been familiar, even after they had recovered. Researchers concluded that "acute viral infection can cause memory deficit". So this can explain why, after a lifetime of severe colds, "the elderly often lose their memories." (The Week, 11/10/06)
Good reason to eat healthfully and get enough sleep, and many other precautions like hand-washing. I won't mention-stay away from children, since those of us that are around children usually have no option. We are there because it is our livelihood, but most of all, and/or because we love them and so that is where we want to be. But, we must watch our nutrition and any other means of maintaining our well-being, since the repercussions may last forever.
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