Lao Li's family has a son named Li Ming, who is in good health, and has hardly been sick since he was a child, let alone a cold. Neighbors all said that Li Ming was in good health, and he himself felt the same.
But recently, Lao Li heard that "people who don't catch a cold for a long time not only have poor immunity, but also are prone to cancer", which can make Lao Li anxious.
Lao Li muttered in his heart: My son has not caught a cold for so many years, is it really that his immunity is not good? Is it really easy to get cancer?
Li Ming looked calm, saying that he usually pays attention to exercise and eats a healthy diet, so he should be fine. But Lao Li was still not at ease, and decided to take his son to the hospital for a comprehensive examination.
When the results of the examination came out, the doctor smiled and said, "Li Ming's body is better than that of a young man! Not catching a cold for a long time means that his immune system is stable, and cancer is not so easy to get." ”
Lao Li was relieved. It seems that those rumors are unreliable! But then again, what is the situation with this immunity thing?
01
Colds are a common illness that is mainly caused by viruses. When we are attacked by a cold virus, the virus invades the body through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, causing a response from the immune system, leading to an upper respiratory tract infection.
Our immune system works hard to fight the virus, protecting our body through different lines of defense.
The first line of defense is our skin and mucous membranes. They can secrete some substances with bactericidal effects, such as lactic acid, stomach acid, and enzymes, to stop the virus from entering.
When the virus crosses this line of defense, a second line of defense comes into play, and this includes lysozyme and phagocytes. Lysozyme can dissolve the virus, whereas phagocytic cells can engulf and destroy the virus.
Finally, the third line of defense consists of immune organs and immune cells, which kill the virus through blood circulation and lymphatic circulation.
When the virus successfully breaks through all the defenses, our body will experience a series of inflammatory reactions, such as sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, fever, etc. These are the symptoms of a cold that we feel.
How many times a year do healthy adults catch a cold?
The common cold is a very common illness, and most of the time, the average number of colds a person gets per year is between 2 and 6 times. This is normal and there is no need to worry too much.
The number of colds is related to an individual's immune system, not a direct indicator of how active the immune system is. Because there are many different cold viruses, one or two colds do not make the body immune to all viruses.
Therefore, even if a person has not had a cold for a long time, it does not mean that they have a weak immune system.
People who rarely catch colds are more likely to get cancer?
There is a theory that people who have frequent colds have a more active immune system and are therefore healthier, while people who have not had a cold for a long time have a "numb" immune system and are more likely to develop cancer. However, this statement is not entirely true.
Frequent colds do not mean that the immune system is more active, but it may mean that the immune system is weaker and more susceptible to cold viruses.
Not catching a cold for a long time does not mean that you have a poor immune system, nor does it mean that you are prone to cancer. The immune system is a complex system that is not directly related to the number of colds. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much about not catching a cold for a long time.
How to deal with a cold to get better quickly?
Colds generally don't require special treatment, and in most cases, we can alleviate symptoms and promote recovery by:
Rest: When you have a cold, you should get plenty of rest to avoid overexertion and give your body enough time to fight the virus.
Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of water can help maintain your body's water balance, help thin mucus, and relieve sore throats and coughs.
Eat in moderation: While appetite may be reduced, eating in moderation can help provide the energy and nutrients your body needs.
Warmth protection: Keeping the room warm and avoiding the cold can help relieve symptoms.
Avoid over-medication: Avoid over-use of antibiotics, as most colds are caused by viruses, which are ineffective against viruses and can instead cause resistance and adverse effects.
With the above methods, we can self-condition at home, relieve cold symptoms, and recover naturally within a few days to a week. If the symptoms are severe or last for a long time, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for a more appropriate treatment.