DEAR DR. GOTT:
It seems to me every time I get a cold someone tells me to sweat it out with exercise. Is this a good idea or is rest and plenty of fluids the way to go?

DEAR READER:
A cold is an infection of the nose and throat that can develop because of any one of more than 200 different viruses. The rhinovirus is the most common and is highly contagious.

Symptoms usually develop between one and three days after exposure to a cold virus and can include runny nose, watery eyes, cough, sneeze, congestion, and sore throat. As a general rule, fever does not occur with the common cold.

There are countless ways to come in contact with a virus. Sharing objects such as a drinking glass or cup, droplets from a contagious individual sneezing near you and hand to hand contact are at the top of the list. [Read more...]