LiveWorld Transcripts

Proctor & Gamble presents

Dr. Ron Ruden
Chloraseptics’ Health and Wellness Series

February 19, 1999

Dr. Ron Ruden shares his cures and treatments for colds and the flu, and how to stay healthy during winter as part of Chloraseptics’ Health and Wellness Series.

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Chloraseptic(tm) and Talk City are pleased to Welcome you this evening to an interview with Dr. Ron Ruden. Dr. Ruden is here to host Chloraseptic's(tm) Health and Wellness Series. These discussions will focus on answering questions about how to keep your kids healthy in the winter months and cold fighting techniques. The following is presented in context of general information. Please contact your physician should you have any additional questions.

Chloraseptic: And now without further ado, welcome Dr. Ruden! Would you tell us a bit about the common cold and how prevalent this is today vs. the flu, for example?

Dr. Ruden: Greetings. The common cold interesting enough, occurs all during the year approximately 66 million people have colds during the year. Most of them are in children who have 1 to 6 colds a year as you get older this will diminish. The flu though is very seasonal. It is caused by a specific virus called the influenza virus, the symptoms are much more severe than a cold. In a cold you see runny nose, mucus and sore throat. In the flu you have high fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains and you feel like you have been hit by a Mac truck. In summary you could get a cold at any time while the flu occurs mainly during the winter months.

Orangina: Would you recommend a good multivitamin for kids?

Dr. Ruden: Children in general do not need vitamins if they have a balanced meal. You should try to get the necessary nutrients if they are not getting adequate meals, look for a multi-vitamin that supplements and enhances the basic food groups. As for Vitamin C it can sometimes decrease the duration of a common cold, but I would not take high doses during the winter on an ongoing basis.

Serendipity: When you feel a cold coming on, what is the best way to avoid a full blown cold? A lot of people take vitamin C. Does that work? Why is Vitamin C so important when one has a cold?

Dr. Ruden: To prevent a full-blown cold from occurring is not possible. There are several things you can do to minimize your discomfort. Gargle with warm salt water if fever is uncomfortable take Tylenol or Ibuprofen and rest for the first two days. If is during those first several days that you are the most contagious. It is also important even though you may not prevent a full-blown cold, it is important to prevent the spread of the cold to other people.

Genericnick: I have heard that Vitamin C has a ton of sugar in it. Is that true?

Dr. Ruden: Vitamin C is Vitamin C. Some formulations may contain sugar in the vitamin pill, this is probably not harmful but look for one that contains zero amounts of sugar, check the labels.

Suziqq: Is it necessary to make sure my child's ears are covered when I send him to school? I have heard that people catch colds through bacteria not by being cold?

Dr. Ruden: A cold is considered a virus. The bacteria is a secondary infection to a cold not the cause of it. Covering ears is helpful because circulation to the ears is not great. But do not be overly concerned about the covering of the ears, it is not so much as important as prevention in other areas.

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