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Dog care below freezing − how to keep your pet warm and safe from cold weather, road salt and more this winter

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erik-christian-olstad-1505284">Erik Christian Olstad</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-davis-1312">University of California, Davis</a> Time outside with your dog in the spring, summer and fall can be lovely. Visiting your favorite downtown café on a cool spring morning, going to a favorite dog park on a clear summer evening or going on walks along a river when the leaves are changing color are all wonderful when the weather is favorable. But in much of the country, when winter rolls around, previously hospitable conditions can <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-winter-miserable-for-wildlife-108734">quickly turn chilly and dangerous</a> for people and pups alike. Winter brings some unique challenges for dog owners, since dogs still need activity and socialization during colder seasons. Studies have shown that dog owners are almost 50% less likely to walk their dogs <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113302">when the weather gets cold</a>. Knowing the basics of winter safety is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your dog. I am an <a href="https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/erik-olstad">assistant professor</a> at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who weathered polar vortexes with my dog while living in Michigan early in my career. While I’ve since moved to sunny California, I’ve seen how quickly frigid temperatures can turn dangerous for pets. <h2>Breed and age differences</h2> Not all dogs have the same abilities to deal with cold weather. A short-coated dog like a Chihuahua is much more susceptible to the dangers of cold weather than a thick-coated husky. When the weather dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), the well-acclimated husky may be comfortable, whereas the Chihuahua would shiver and be at risk of hypothermia. Additionally, if your dog is used to warm weather, but you decide to move to a colder region, the dog will need time to acclimate to that colder weather, even if they have a thick coat. Age also affects cold-weather resilience. Puppies and elderly dogs can’t withstand the chill as well as other dogs, but every dog is unique – each may have individual health conditions or physical attributes that make them more or less resilient to cold weather. <h2>When is my dog too cold?</h2> Pet owners should be able to recognize the symptoms of a dog that is getting too cold. Dogs will shiver, and some may vocalize or whine. Dogs may resist putting their feet down on the cold ground, or burrow, or try to find warmth in their environment when they are uncomfortable. Just like people, <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/frostbite-in-dogs">dogs can get frostbite</a>. And just like people, the signs can take days to appear, making it hard to assess them in the moment. The most common sites for frostbite in dogs are their ears and the tips of their tails. Some of the initial signs of frostbite are skin discoloring, turning paler than normal, or purple, gray or even black; red, blistered skin; swelling; pain at the site; <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/ulcer">or ulceration</a>. Other <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/frostbite-in-dogs">serious signs of hypothermia</a> include sluggishness or lethargy, and if you observe them, please visit your veterinarian immediately. A good rule to live by is if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your dog. Getting your dog a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/pets/best-winter-dog-coats-jackets">sweater or jacket</a> and <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/vets-corner/protect-dogs-paws-snow-ice-salt/">paw covers</a> can provide them with protection from the elements and keep them comfortable. Veterinarians also recommend closely monitoring your dog and limiting their time outside when the temperature nears the freezing point or drops below it. <h2>Road salt dangers</h2> Road salt that treats ice on streets and sidewalks <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ice-salt-toxic-for-pets-1.5020088">can also harm dogs</a>. When dogs walk on the salt, the sharp, rough edges of the salt crystals can irritate the sensitive skin on their paws. Dogs will often lick their feet when they’re dirty, wet or irritated, and if they ingest any salt doing that, they may face GI upset, dehydration, kidney failure, seizures or even death. Even small amounts of pure salt can <a href="https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-tips/my-dog-ate-road-salt-will-they-be-okay/">disrupt critical body functions</a> in dogs. Some companies make pet-safe salt, but in public it can be hard to tell what type of salt is on the ground. After walking your dog, wash off their feet or boots. You can also keep their paw fur trimmed to prevent snow from balling up or salt collecting in the fur. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-to-make-your-own-paw-balm-for-winter/">paw pad balm</a> to the skin of the paw pads can also help protect your pet’s paws from irritation. <h2>Antifreeze risks</h2> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/antifreeze-chemical-substance">Antifreeze, or ethylene glycol</a>, is in most vehicles to prevent the fluids from freezing when it gets cold out. Some people pour antifreeze into their toilets when away from their home to prevent the water in the toilet from freezing. Antifreeze is an exceptionally dangerous chemical to dogs and cats, as it tastes sweet but can be deadly when ingested. If a pet ingests even a small amount of antifreeze, the substance causes a chemical cascade in their body that results in severe kidney damage. If left untreated, the pet may have <a href="https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owner-blog/antifreeze-poisoning/">permanent kidney damage or die</a>. There are safer antifreeze options on the market that use ingredients other than ethylene glycol. If your dog ingests antifreeze, please see your veterinarian immediately for treatment. When temperatures dip below freezing, the best thing pet owners can do is keep the time spent outside as minimal as possible. Try some <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/great-indoor-games-to-play-with-your-dog/">indoor activities</a>, like hide-and-seek with low-calorie treats, fetch or even an interactive obstacle course. Food puzzles can also keep your dog mentally engaged during indoor time. Although winter presents some unique challenges, it can still be an enjoyable and healthy time for you and your canine companion.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221709/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/erik-christian-olstad-1505284">Erik Christian Olstad</a>, Health Sciences Assistant Professor of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-california-davis-1312">University of California, Davis</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dog-care-below-freezing-how-to-keep-your-pet-warm-and-safe-from-cold-weather-road-salt-and-more-this-winter-221709">original article</a>. </div>

Family & Pets

Huge reward to help solve cold case of missing mum

Police are offering a $500,000 reward for information to help solve a cold case that suspect was a murder. Tammy Lisa Dyson, also known as Tamela Menzies, was 23 when went missing from the Currumbin area in 1995. The mother of two was picked up from a drug rehab clinic by a woman claiming to be her sister on July 20, 1995 and has not been seen since. Dyson was born and raised in Victoria before moving to Brisbane in 1988, where she worked in the adult entertainment industry under the nickname "Pebbles". Police believe she began mixing with criminals and using drugs while working in strip clubs on the Gold Coast. In early 1995 Dyson arranged for her young sons, Jyles and Rainey, to stay with their grandmother in Victoria temporarily. A few months later she made a distressed call to her sister Olivia, who said she had been assaulted. Olivia and her partner then dropped Dyson off to a drug rehabilitation centre at Currumbin on the Gold Coast, and on July 20, 1995 she was picked up by someone claiming to be her sister. The following day, Tammy completed a statutory declaration signed by a Justice of the Peace in Tweed Heads, giving custody of her children and her possessions to her mother. She also called her sister one last time, with Olivia recalling that Tammy "didn't sound like herself" and she had mentioned underworld figures. Police have received a number of reported sightings of Tammy since 1995 but all proof of life inquiries have been proven negative. In 2012, the Queensland coroner said that they believed Tammy was deceased and indicated that she may have been a victim of violence, although a certain date, time and cause of death have not been determined. Police are now offering the huge reward for new information and immunity from prosecution for any accomplice who comes forward. "Tammy associated with criminals that were known to police and vanished without a trace after giving custody of her children and possessions to her mother; we believe the circumstances of her disappearance is suspicious," Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said. On Wednesday, her sons, who were only three and one when their mother disappeared, made an emotional appeal for public help to find her. "Growing up without mum and not knowing what happened to her has been very hard," Jyles Lebler said through tears during a media conference. "Whoever has picked her up, I'm not saying they have done something but they must know something bad has happened." "We hope we find out what to mum to give grandma some closure before it's too late," Rainey added. Images: Queensland Police

Legal

Grandmother fatally stabbed in front of granddaughter

On Saturday evening, the Town Square Redbank Plains underground carpark became the scene of a horrifying crime as Vyleen White, a 70-year-old grandmother, lost her life in a brutal stabbing, leaving the community in shock and mourning. The heart-wrenching incident occurred as White was returning to her car with her groceries and her six-year-old granddaughter. The young girl, traumatised by the violence she witnessed, ran up the escalator screaming and crying for help, as the assailants callously stole White's vehicle. Local resident and off-duty doctor Ademola Afolabi responded to the cries for help but tragically arrived too late. He recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “For a little girl to witness that is painful, she won’t forget that.” The shocking nature of this crime has prompted a major manhunt for the alleged perpetrators. Police have released CCTV footage showing four persons of interest, believed to be a mix of adult and juvenile males of African appearance, arriving at a house in the stolen vehicle before abandoning it at nearby Springfield Lakes. The investigation is still in its early stages, but it is suspected that the stabbing was a result of a robbery that escalated into a violent crime. White's daughter, Danice White, expressed the family's grief and frustration. “We want justice,” she said. “There should be a police beat at every shopping centre and a police presence, or even a guard dog on site in the police beat. If we can’t feel safe walking around, there’s a problem.” The tragic loss of Vyleen White, remembered as a thoughtful woman with a strong Christian faith, has left her family and friends devastated. Her daughter described her mother's compassion, saying, “She was always praying for people, that’s why I am still around.” As the community mourns the loss of a beloved grandmother, there is an urgent call for action. Queensland Premier Steven Miles has acknowledged the abhorrent nature of the crime and assured that the police are working tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrator. Images: Facebook / Queensland Police

Caring

You’ve heard of long COVID, but did you know there might also be a long cold?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giulia-vivaldi-1476903">Giulia Vivaldi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queen-mary-university-of-london-1745">Queen Mary University of London</a> At least <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2">10% of people</a> infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, have symptoms that last more than four weeks after the infection. With more than <a href="https://covid19.who.int/">770 million infections</a> to date, this translates to tens of millions of people living with the long-term consequences of COVID, known as “long COVID”. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2">More than 200 symptoms</a> of long COVID have been studied, with some of the most common being fatigue, breathlessness and cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems or “brain fog”. The condition can be debilitating – many people have to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00387-5/fulltext">reduce their working hours</a> or are <a href="https://ifs.org.uk/publications/long-covid-and-labour-market">unable to work entirely</a>. But COVID may not be alone in causing long-lasting symptoms. In a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00428-5/fulltext">new paper</a>, my colleagues and I report the findings of a study comparing long-term symptoms reported by people who experienced different types of acute respiratory infection. We asked more than 10,000 people to report on 16 symptoms commonly found in long COVID, such as fatigue, breathlessness, aches and pains, and dizziness. We then compared how common these symptoms were among three groups: people who had reported COVID, those who had reported another acute respiratory infection (but had tested negative for COVID), and those who had not reported either infection. We focused on long-term symptoms by only including people who had been infected more than four weeks earlier. We also took into account people’s general health before they were infected, and whether they had any existing respiratory conditions. Our study showed that all the symptoms considered were more common in people with previous COVID than in people with no infections, regardless of whether they reported long COVID. But this finding wasn’t unique to COVID. Almost all the symptoms we looked at were also more common in people with non-COVID respiratory infections than in those with no infection. In other words, our findings hinted towards the existence of a “long cold”: long-lasting health effects from other respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, or pneumonia, that are currently going unrecognised. Some of the most common symptoms of the long cold include coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. These symptoms were reported an average of 11 weeks after the infection. While a severe initial infection seems to increase the risk of long-term symptoms, our research does not yet tell us why some people suffer extended symptoms while others do not. <h2>Important differences</h2> Importantly, we have no evidence that symptoms of the long cold have the same severity or duration as long COVID. In fact, we saw some important differences in the symptoms reported in the two groups, with those recovering from COVID more likely to experience light-headedness or dizziness and problems with taste and smell. These findings shine a light not only on the impact of long COVID on people’s lives, but also other respiratory infections. A lack of awareness, or even the lack of a common term, such as “long cold” or “long flu”, prevents both reporting and diagnosis of these conditions. And people who do report their long cold may still struggle to get a diagnosis, owing to the wide range of symptoms and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01810-6">lack of diagnostic tests</a>. Long-lasting symptoms after respiratory infections are not a new phenomenon. Studies in survivors of two previous coronavirus outbreaks – the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) pandemic and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) outbreak – have found long-term impacts on <a href="https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/21/1/e68">lung function, quality of life and mental health</a>. And some people hospitalised with influenza A have experienced <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-17497-6">respiratory and psychological problems</a> at least two years after being discharged from hospital. But most of the research so far has focused on people with severe disease, often severe enough to be hospitalised. Little is known about the long-term effects respiratory infections might have among people whose acute disease episode is less severe. Long COVID has bucked this trend, being studied in people with all levels of severity of the initial infection. This is in large part due to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953620306456">strong patient advocacy</a>, showing that it can affect even those with mild initial symptoms. In demanding recognition of their condition, people with long COVID have cast a much-needed spotlight on post-infection syndromes more generally. Now is the time to improve our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. Let’s not wait for another pandemic.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214995/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giulia-vivaldi-1476903">Giulia Vivaldi</a>, , <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queen-mary-university-of-london-1745">Queen Mary University of London</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/youve-heard-of-long-covid-but-did-you-know-there-might-also-be-a-long-cold-214995">original article</a>.

Body

TV presenter drops F-bomb in front of Anthony Albanese

The Cheap Seats co-host Melanie Bracewell found herself in an awkward predicament when she accidentally dropped the F-bomb during a live interview with Anthony Albanese. The prime minister joined the show as a special guest on Monday to discuss the Voice to Parliament and G20 Summit. Bracewell, who is from New Zealand, was caught-off guard when her microphone pack unexpectedly slipped off, creating a loud bang. “Sorry, sorry, f***," the host promptly apologised for the mishap. Albanese and the audience burst into laughter as Bracewell fumbled over herself, and co-host Tim McDonald covered his face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to swear in front of you, that’s embarrassing.” McDonald then handed over his co-host's fake citizenship papers to the prime minister and quipped, “feel free to write ‘denied’ on that now”. An amused Albanese played along, and proceeded to flip the page and draw a straight line through the papers. “Good call,” McDonald said. “If we denied Australian citizenship (to people) who said that word, we’d really struggle,” the prime minister quipped. “We’d really have a skills crisis." Image: Ten News

Taking an antidepressant? Mixing it with other medicines – including some cold and flu treatments – can be dangerous

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/treasure-mcguire-135225">Treasure McGuire</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> In the depths of winter we are more at risk of succumbing to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7522168/">viral respiratory infections</a> – from annoying sore throat, common cold and sinusitis, to the current resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection range in severity. They can include fever, chills, muscle or body aches, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, earache, headache, and fatigue. Most antibiotics target bacteria so are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32495003/">not effective</a> for viral infections. Many people seek relief with over-the-counter medicines. While evidence varies, guidelines suggest medicines taken by mouth (such as cough syrups or cold and flu tablets) have a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25420096/">limited but potentially positive</a> short-term role for managing upper respiratory infection symptoms in adults and children older than 12. These include: <ul> <li>paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever</li> <li>decongestants such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine</li> <li>expectorants and mucolytics to thin and clear mucus from upper airways</li> <li>dry cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan</li> <li>sedating or non-sedating antihistamines for runny noses or watery eyes.</li> </ul> But what if you have been prescribed an antidepressant? What do you need to know before going to the pharmacy for respiratory relief? <h2>Avoiding harm</h2> An audit of more than 5,000 cough-and-cold consumer enquiries to an Australian national medicine call centre found questions frequently related to drug-drug interactions (29%). An 18-month analysis showed 20% of calls <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26590496/">concerned</a> potentially significant interactions, particularly with antidepressants. Australia remains in the “<a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/mental-health-%20prescriptions#Prescriptionsbytype">top ten</a>” antidepressant users in the <a href="https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=HEALTH_PHMC">OECD</a>. More than <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/mental-health-prescriptions">32 million</a> antidepressant prescriptions are dispensed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme each year. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms of anxiety or depression but are also used in chronic pain and incontinence. They are classified primarily by how they affect chemical messengers in the nervous system. These classes are: <ul> <li>selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as fluoxetine, escitalopram, paroxetine and sertraline</li> <li>serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) such as desvenlafaxine, duloxetine and venlafaxine</li> <li>tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) such as amitriptyline, doxepin and imipramine</li> <li>monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as tranylcypromine</li> <li>atypical medicines such as agomelatine, mianserin, mirtazapine, moclobemide, reboxetine and vortioxetine</li> <li>complementary medicines including St John’s wort, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) and L-tryptophan</li> </ul> Medicines within the same class of antidepressants have similar actions and side-effect profiles. But the molecular differences of individual antidepressants mean they may have different interactions with medicines taken at the same time. <h2>Types of drug interactions</h2> Drug interactions can be: <ul> <li>pharmacokinetic – what the body does to a drug as it moves into, through and out of the body. When drugs are taken together, one may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism or elimination of the other</li> <li>pharmacodynamic – what a drug does to the body. When drugs are taken together, one may affect the action of the other. Two drugs that independently cause sedation, for example, may result in excessive drowsiness if taken together.</li> </ul> There are many <a href="https://wchh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pnp.429">potential interactions</a> between medications and antidepressants. These include interactions between over-the-counter medicines for upper respiratory symptoms and antidepressants, especially those taken orally. Concentrations of nasal sprays or inhaled medicines are generally lower in the blood stream. That means they are less likely to interact with other medicines. <h2>What to watch for</h2> It’s important to get advice from a pharmacist before taking any medications on top of your antidepressant. Two symptoms antidepressant users should monitor for shortly after commencing a cough or cold medicine are central nervous system effects (irritability, insomnia or drowsiness) and effects on blood pressure. For example, taking a selective SSRI antidepressant and an oral decongestant (such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine) can cause irritability, insomnia and affect blood pressure. Serotonin is a potent chemical compound produced naturally for brain and nerve function that can also constrict blood vessels. Medicines that affect serotonin are common and include most antidepressant classes, but also decongestants, dextromethorphan, St John’s wort, L-tryptophan, antimigraine agents, diet pills and amphetamines. <a href="https://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker">Combining drugs</a> such as antidepressants and decongestants that both elevate serotonin levels can cause irritability, headache, insomnia, diarrhoea and blood pressure effects – usually increased blood pressure. But some people experience orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure on standing up) and dizziness. For example, taking both a serotonin and SNRI antidepressant and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) can add up to high serotonin levels. This can also occur with a combination of the complementary medicine St John’s Wort and an oral decongestant. Where serotonin levels are too high, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15666281/">severe symptoms</a> such as confusion, muscle rigidity, fever, seizures and even death have been reported. Such symptoms are rare but if you notice any of these you should stop taking the cold and flu medication straight away and seek medical attention. <h2>Ways to avoid antidepressant drug interactions</h2> There are a few things we can do to prevent potentially dangerous interactions between antidepressants and cold and flu treatments. 1. Better information Firstly, there should be more targeted, consumer-friendly, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/default.htm">online drug interaction information</a> available for antidepressant users. 2. Prevent the spread of viral infections as much as possible Use the non-drug strategies that have worked well for COVID: regular hand washing, good personal hygiene, social distancing, and facemasks. Ensure adults and children are up to date with immunisations. 3. Avoid potential drug interactions with strategies to safely manage symptoms Consult your pharmacist for strategies most appropriate for you and only use cold and flu medications while symptoms persist: <ul> <li>treat muscle aches, pain, or a raised temperature with analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen</li> <li>relieve congestion with a nasal spray decongestant</li> <li>clear mucus from upper airways with expectorants or mucolytics</li> <li>dry up a runny nose or watery eyes with a non-sedating antihistamine.</li> </ul> Avoid over-the-counter cough suppressants for an irritating dry cough. Use a simple alternative such as honey, steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus oil or a non-medicated lozenge instead. 4. Ask whether your symptoms could be more than the common cold Could it be influenza or COVID? Seek medical attention if you are concerned or your symptoms are not improving. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208662/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/treasure-mcguire-135225">Treasure McGuire</a>, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Mater Health SEQ in conjoint appointment as Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Bond University and as Associate Professor (Clinical), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/taking-an-antidepressant-mixing-it-with-other-medicines-including-some-cold-and-flu-treatments-can-be-dangerous-208662">original article</a>.

Body

What happens in our body when we encounter and fight off a virus like the flu, SARS-CoV-2 or RSV?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lara-herrero-1166059">Lara Herrero</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wesley-freppel-1408971">Wesley Freppel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> <a href="https://www.labcorp.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-news-education/covid-19-vs-flu-vs-rsv-how-tell-difference">Respiratory viruses</a> like influenza virus (flu), SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can make us sick by infecting our respiratory system, including the nose, upper airways and lungs. They spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks and can cause death in serious cases. But what happens in our body when we first encounter these viruses? Our immune system uses a number of strategies to fight off viral infections. Let’s look at how it does this. <h2>First line of defence</h2> When we encounter respiratory viruses, the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193131281600038X?via%3Dihub/">first line of defence</a> is the physical and chemical barriers in our nose, upper airways, and lungs. Barriers like the mucus lining and hair-like structures on the surface of cells, work together to trap and remove viruses before they can reach deeper into our respiratory system. Our defence also includes our behaviours such as coughing or sneezing. When we blow our nose, the mucus, viruses, and any other pathogens that are caught within it are expelled. But sometimes, viruses manage to evade these initial barriers and sneak into our respiratory system. This activates the cells of our innate immune system. <h2>Patrolling for potential invaders</h2> While our acquired immune system develops over time, our innate immune system is present at birth. It generates “non-specific” immunity by identifying what’s foreign. The cells of innate immunity act like a patrol system, searching for any invaders. These innate cells patrol almost every part of our body, from our skin to our nose, lungs and even internal organs. Our respiratory system has different type of innate cells such – as macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer cells – which patrol in our body looking for intruders. If they recognise anything foreign, in this case a virus, they will initiate an attack response. Each cell type plays a slightly different role. Macrophages, for example, will not only engulf and digest viruses (phagocytosis) but also release a cocktail of different molecules (cytokines) that will warn and recruit other cells to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cmi.12580">fight against the danger</a>. In the meantime, natural killer cells, aptly named, attack infected cells, and stop viruses from multiplying and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-021-00558-3">invading our body further</a>. Natural killer cells also promote inflammation, a <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/2018/1467538/">crucial part of the immune response</a>. It helps to recruit more immune cells to the site of infection, enhances blood flow, and increases the permeability of blood vessels, allowing immune cells to reach the infected tissues. At this stage, our immune system is fighting a war against viruses and the result can cause inflammation, fevers, coughs and congestion. <h2>Launching a specific attack</h2> As the innate immune response begins, another branch of the immune system called the adaptive immune system is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21070/">activated</a>. The adaptive immune system is more specific than the innate immune system, and it decides on the correct tools and strategy to fight off the viral invaders. This system plays a vital role in eliminating the virus and providing long-term protection against future infections. Specialised cells called T cells and B cells are key players in acquired immunity. T cells (specifically, helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells) recognise viral proteins on the surface of infected cells: <ul> <li> helper T cells release molecules that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3764486/">further activate immune cells</a> </li> <li> cytotoxic T cells directly kill infected cells with a very great precision, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.00678/full">avoiding any healthy cells around</a>. </li> </ul> B cells produce antibodies, which are proteins that can bind to viruses, neutralise them, and mark them for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7247032/">destruction by other immune cells</a>. B cells are a critical part of memory in our immune system. They will remember what happened and won’t forget for years. When the same virus attacks again, B cells will be ready to fight it off and will neutralise it faster and better. Thanks to the adaptive immune system, vaccines for respiratory viruses such as the COVID mRNA vaccine keep us protected from <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/our-vaccines/how-they-work">being sick or severely ill</a>. However, if the same virus became mutated, our immune system will act as if it was a new virus and will have to fight in a war again. <h2>Neutralising the threat</h2> As the immune response progresses, the combined efforts of the innate and adaptive immune systems helps control the virus. Infected cells are cleared, and the virus is neutralised and eliminated from the body. As the infection subsides, symptoms gradually improve, and we begin to feel better and to recover. But recovery varies depending on the specific virus and us as individuals. Some respiratory viruses, like rhinoviruses which cause the common cold, may cause relatively mild symptoms and a quick recovery. Others, like the flu, SARS-CoV-2 or severe cases of RSV, may lead to more severe symptoms and a longer recovery time. Some viruses are very strong and too fast sometimes so that our immune system does not have the time to develop a proper immune response to fight them off. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207023/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lara-herrero-1166059">Lara Herrero</a>, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wesley-freppel-1408971">Wesley Freppel</a>, Research Fellow, Institute for Glycomics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-happens-in-our-body-when-we-encounter-and-fight-off-a-virus-like-the-flu-sars-cov-2-or-rsv-207023">original article</a>.

Body

6 habits of people who don’t get sick

Winter is a dangerous time. Although cold temperatures themselves don’t cause us to get sick, our winter habits invite the spread of germs and risk of contagion is high. If you find yourself sick every winter, here are some useful habits of those healthy people to take up. 1. They get enough sleep It’s easy to experience disrupted sleep during winter. When air is too cold, it will negatively affect melatonin production and cause the body's sleep cycle to be disrupted. However, research shows that people who sleep only five to six hours a night have a 30 per cent chance of catching a cold when exposed to the virus; those who get more than seven hours reduce their risk to 17 per cent. 2. They pay extra attention to hygiene With more germs in the air, now is the time to stay conscious about where they may be festering. Key areas include bathroom door handles, taps, fridges, elevator buttons and public transport. Keep antibacterial wipes on you so whenever you touch a high risk surface, you can cleanse you hand before eating, or touching your face and eyes. 3. They exercise regularly Winter is notorious for zapping our work-out motivation. However, exercise strengthens the immune system and makes you less likely to catch upper respiratory infections. 4. The get their flu shot Flu shots, approved for all adults, are effective 50 to 60 per cent of the time in preventing the flu and may also reduce the severity of symptoms. 5. They don’t smoke Cigarette smoke appears to damage the mucus membranes, which act as the frontline barrier to infectious agents, making smokers twice as likely to catch a cold and several times more likely to develop the flu. 6. They enjoy a drink Harvard University School of Public Health researchers found that red wine was particularly protective against colds, probably due to the anti-inflammatory action of the phenol, resveratrol. Just keep in mind that drinking more than two glasses a day raises the risk for infections. Image credit: Shutterstock

Body

Why is it so damn cold right now? A weather researcher explains

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tess-parker-111039">Tess Parker</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> If you woke up this morning and thought “Gosh, it’s a bit brisk!”, you’re not alone. Temperatures plummeted across southeast Australia this week, with Weatherzone <a href="https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/coldest-morning-in-5-years-for-parts-of-nsw-qld-act/1342232">reporting</a> Canberra’s low of -7.2ºC was “its lowest temperature since 2018 and the lowest for June since 1986.” Sydney experienced its <a href="https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/coldest-morning-in-5-years-for-parts-of-nsw-qld-act/1342232">coldest June morning</a> today since 2010, with a temperature of 5.2ºC. In Victoria, temperatures of -7.2ºC were <a href="https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/coldest-morning-in-5-years-for-parts-of-nsw-qld-act/1342232">recorded</a>. So what’s going on? Here’s what you need to know. <h2>A big pool of Antarctic air</h2> It started off at the beginning of the week, when a low-pressure system saw a big cold front come through southeastern Australia on Sunday night. This basically means a lot of very cold air came from higher latitudes close to Antarctica, and swept across southeastern Australia. So everywhere from Melbourne to Sydney to South Australia was getting this big pool of incredibly cold air at the start of the week. Even though that cold front has now moved off over the Tasman Sea, it has left behind it a really big high-pressure system sitting over the southeast of Australia. This has led to calm conditions, where winds are very light and the skies are clear with not a lot of cloud during the day or night. So it’s getting really, really cold in the early mornings because there are no clouds to act as an insulating blanket for the Earth and trap the heat that the planet radiates to space overnight. The result, in many places, has been very cold temperatures before sunrise, often with a lot of frost. <h2>Remind me, what’s a low-pressure system? And what’s a high-pressure system?</h2> The air above the Earth’s surface has mass, but it’s not uniform everywhere. The way the atmosphere is moved around by what’s going on at upper levels will mean the mass of the atmosphere is redistributed. That transmits down to the surface where we live and causes low- and high-pressure systems. At some points the pressure is lower because there’s not as much mass of air above that point over the Earth. This is what we call a low-pressure system. Air rises in a low, reducing the pressure at the surface. The winds around the low are clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. So when that low is approaching Australia, the winds on the western side are bringing air from near Antarctica. That’s why a low-pressure system in Australia often means cooler conditions. At some points above the Earth, the pressure is higher because the mass of air above that area is greater. This is what we call a high-pressure system. Air descends in a high, raising the surface pressure. High-pressure systems tend to mean very calm weather; the wind isn’t very strong, the skies tend to be clear and there’s little to no cloud. In summer, that means the sun is baking down all day onto Earth with no protection from cloud. So a high-pressure system in summer can mean a heatwave. In winter, the lack of cloud in a high-pressure system means that much of the heat the Earth has absorbed during the day just re-radiates out to space again, as the cloud isn’t there to act as a blanket and keep all that heat in. That’s why a high-pressure system can mean very cold weather in winter, especially when there are lower levels of sunlight coming in to warm up the Earth in the first place.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208182/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tess-parker-111039">Tess Parker</a>, Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-it-so-damn-cold-right-now-a-weather-researcher-explains-208182">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

Sore joints now it’s getting cold? It’s tempting to be less active – but doing more could help you feel better

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charlotte-ganderton-1170940">Charlotte Ganderton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/inge-gnatt-1425767">Inge Gnatt</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-king-1177304">Matthew King</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a> <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/chronic-conditions/what-were-doing-about-chronic-conditions/what-were-doing-about-musculoskeletal-conditions#:%7E:text=In%20Australia%3A,stiff%2C%20painful%2C%20swollen%20or%20deformed">One in three</a> Australians has a musculoskeletal condition involving joint pain, and the most common cause is arthritis. Around <a href="https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/1in7witharthritis/">3.6 million</a> Australians have arthritis and this is projected to rise to <a href="https://www.arthritiswa.org.au/arthritis/australians-in-the-dark-with-arthritis-one-of-our-most-prevalent-and-costly-diseases/#:%7E:text=Arthritis%20is%20a%20leading%20cause,to%205.4%20million%20by%202030">5.4 million by 2030</a>. For some people with joint pain, cold weather <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-15-66">seems to make it worse</a>. But temperature <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3959(99)00010-X">is just one factor</a> impacting perceptions of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001776">greater pain</a> during winter. Other factors include those we have some level of influence over, including <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-019-02067-z">sleep</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-019-02067-z">behavioural patterns, mood</a> and <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1038/s41598-019-44664-8.pdf">physical activity</a>. Emerging research suggests greater pain levels in winter may also be related to a person’s <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216902">perception of the weather</a>, lack of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpain.2010.05.030">vitamin D</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kel414">fluctuations in their disease</a>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1191">Physical activity</a> is one of the best treatments to increase function, strength and mobility – and improve quality of life. It also <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1191">promotes</a> mental and physical health and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1466853X21000304?via%3Dihub">reduces the risk</a> of other chronic diseases. But pain can be a barrier to exercise and activities you’d usually do. So what can you do about it? <h2>Our brain tries to protect us</h2> When it comes to pain, our brain is very protective: it’s like an inbuilt alarm system and can warn us about impending danger or harm that has occurred so we can respond. But it’s not always a reliable indicator of actual damage or trauma to the skin, muscle or bone, even when it feels like it is. In some instances, this warning system can become unhelpful by setting off “false alarms”. Joint pain and stiffness can also appear to worsen during colder weather, prompting <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/26335565221100172">fears</a> we could <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.25151">make it worse</a> if we undertake or overdo movement. This <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2017.07.007">can result in</a> people avoiding physical activity – even when it would be beneficial – which can worsen the pain. <h2>We tend to exercise less when it’s cold</h2> Seasons <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2016.07.007">affect</a> how much physical activity we get. Summer months bring warmer weather, longer daylight hours and people get outdoors more. Warmer weather also tends to elicit a positive outlook, a lift in mood and burst of physical activity to fulfil New Year’s resolutions. Cooler months can mean a decline in physical activity and more time being cosy indoors. A reduction in movement and less exposure to light may evoke higher levels of joint pain and can be associated with a reduction in our overall sense of well-being and mood. This can create a cycle where symptoms worsen over time. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/526947/original/file-20230518-19-gzmuv8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Older woman exercises with weights" /><figcaption></figcaption>But with the right knowledge and support, people <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2126473">can remain engaged in an active lifestyle</a> especially when it’s aligned to personal values and goals. Health professionals such as physiotherapists and GPs can assess any concerns and provide strategies that are right for you.</figure> <h2>How to motivate yourself to stay active in winter</h2> When looking for an approach to help you stay active during the cooler months and beyond, it can be helpful to become aware of the many <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1191">interconnected factors</a> that impact you. They include: <ul> <li>biological (your genes, other illnesses you have)</li> <li>psychological (how you think, feel and behave)</li> <li>social (your relationships and social support).</li> </ul> Starting with the end goal in mind can be beneficial, but this can feel overwhelming. Try creating smaller, achievable steps to help get you there, like climbing a ladder. For example, park a short distance from the shops and increase this incrementally to increase your exercise tolerance. A little bit each day can often be less tolling on your body than a big effort once a week. Create goals that are personally meaningful and encourage you to celebrate success along the way (for example, catching up with friends or a healthy snack). Then, as you climb your “ladder”, one rung at a time, you will likely feel more motivated to continue. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a friend or health provider to help you determine what is realistic and right for your situation. That way you can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1191">work towards your goals in a safe, non-threatening environment</a> and avoid developing fear and avoidance. They can also help you establish goals that align with your aspirations and pain experience.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/200911/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Image credit: Shutterstock <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charlotte-ganderton-1170940">Charlotte Ganderton</a>, Senior Lecturer (Physiotherapy), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/inge-gnatt-1425767">Inge Gnatt</a>, Lecturer (Psychology), Provisional Psychologist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-king-1177304">Matthew King</a>, Lecturer, Research Fellow, and Physiotherapist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/sore-joints-now-its-getting-cold-its-tempting-to-be-less-active-but-doing-more-could-help-you-feel-better-200911">original article</a>.

Body

Survival guide for cool-weather camping

Being comfortable is king to enjoying winter camping. Take a look at our suggestions to help you gear up and get out there when the weather is cold but the campfire is hot. Shelter It’s one of the most important aspects of camping in any season! Your bedding and shelter arrangement should be both comfortable and functional so you can always create a home away from home. Winter around the country can mean different things – for instance, some camp spots during winter are often covered in a blanket of snow where as at others the temperature is cool at night and moderate during the day. Depending on the type of winter you’ll be camping in, you’ll need to adjust the shelter and bedding options to suit but there are a few things every winter camper should be aware off. Make sure your tent pegs are suited to the type of ground where you’ll pitch your tent or shelter. For example in light sandy soil conditions a strong sand peg should work well however in snow covered ground or loose sand locations a longer sturdier peg will keep you tent and shelter firmly in place. Laying a ground sheet underneath your tent will help keep the dew and moisture away from your gear. Pitching your tent or shelter in a location that will take advantage of the morning sun is also a nice touch and one that your fellow campers will appreciate! If you’re likely to be camping in light snow or humid conditions, it’s a good idea to pitch a flysheet over your tent or even a tarpaulin. This will trap “dead air” between your tent and the cold air providing extra insulation and will also help reduce moisture and condensation from appearing in your tent. The same principle applies to your swag – a fly and ground sheet will help prevent condensation and creating a layer of dead air will help give you a comfy and warmer sleep. Hot Tip: Using a ground sheet underneath your tent or swag will help prevent moisture from entering your shelter from below. Sleeping What you sleep in or on can also affect your comfort level. In cold conditions the humble airbed isn’t the best insulator so it’s a good option to use a self-inflating or 4WD mattress. These bedding options also trap dead air and your body warmth will help to create a warmer bed of air to sleep on. Your choice of sleeping bag is also important so it’s a good idea to match the bag to the climate. Along with fill material and weight, sleeping bags are also rated on their insulation or temperature rating. Sleeping bags such as the Blackwolf Zambezie sleeping bag are suited to sub-zero temperatures where as less insulating sleeping bags will keep you comfortable in plus zero degree conditions. Some of us “feel the cold” more than others so it’s important to take this into consideration when deciding what sleeping bag you’ll need. We recommend using a sleeping bag rated to below the temperatures you’re expecting – it’s easier to make yourself cool than it is to add extra warmth. Hot Tip: Hot water bottles are great additions for a warm sleep. What to wear Dressing in layers is a great idea as this allows you to adjust your warmth to suit the conditions or activity. A base layer such as thermals will control your core body temperature. An insulating or middle layer such as a fleece jumper will create a micro-climate and trap warmth around your body. An outer or protective layer will protect you from the elements such as wind or rain. How To: As most of your body heat is lost through your extremities don’t forget your accessories such as beanies, scarves and gloves. Cooking Everyone loves a warming winter meal and we all have memories of a great winter stew or roast. Bringing these meals to the campsite in winter and sharing them with family and friends are easily some of the best pleasures of winter camping. Cooking over a fire is a great idea as the campers are able to enjoy the warmth provided by the fire whilst the meal is cooking. Options for cooking over a fire include the traditional cast iron cookware or fire grill and cast iron plate. Cooking options not needing a fire include thermal cookers such as the Dream Pot or a Cobb cooker. These options are perfect for cooking delicious stews, soups and roasts. Hot Tip: When cooking with cast iron, charcoal briquettes provide a long burning and consistent source of heat making cast iron cooking so easy! If firewood is your heat source, don’t forget to bring enough firewood for your heating and cooking needs! With a heap of easy cooking options available there’s no reason why you can’t be sharing a warm and hearty stew or sensational roast on your next winter camping trip. Winter warmers Comfort and warmth are key for enjoying your winter camping experience. Hot showers and gas heaters are just two options that will make your winter camping trip much easier and more comfortable. Gas heaters are great as they are portable and provide a constant source of heat. Water heaters such as the Coleman Hot Water on Demand system are popular options for winter campers – who can say no to an instant warm shower or hot cuppa? First appeared on the Ray’s Outdoors website. <a href="http://blog.raysoutdoors.com.au/expertadvice?category=Camping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit them </a><a href="http://blog.raysoutdoors.com.au/expertadvice?category=Camping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here for more camping advice</a>. Image credit: Shutterstock Related links: <a href="../lifestyle/caravan-camping/2015/05/4-campfire-recipes/">4 simple and delicious campfire recipes you should try</a> <a href="../lifestyle/caravan-camping/2015/05/outdoor-photography-tips/">Outdoor photography tips to help you take shots like a pro</a> <a href="../lifestyle/caravan-camping/2015/03/bush-damper-recipe/">How to make bush damper</a>

Domestic Travel

Do aches and pains get worse in the cold?

Andrew Lavender, Lecturer, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, asks if joint and muscle aches get worse in the cold. The winter chill is often associated with an increase in aches and pains for many older people, particularly in the joints, but also in the muscles. Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Strusberg+I+Mendelberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent studies</a> have shown an increase in general aches and pain in older men and women, and in particular a correlation between joint pain and weather conditions in patients with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27633622" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rheumatoid arthritis</a> or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26329341" target="_blank" rel="noopener">osteoarthritis</a>. For those without these conditions, any experience of pain with cold or wet weather may be related to changes in physical activity and diet. How does the cold affect our muscles and joints? In investigating a link between weather and joint pain, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11838853" target="_blank" rel="noopener">studies have examined</a> temperature, barometric pressure, precipitation, humidity and sunshine for their links to pain. The results are somewhat inconclusive because they vary greatly. This is largely because pain is subjective and it’s difficult to isolate a particular cause. Other factors like exercise, mood and diet also have an influence on pain perception. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19714599" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Some research focused on the idea</a> that atmospheric pressure may have the greatest effect. This is because there are gasses and fluids within joints, and if atmospheric pressure reduces, these gasses and fluids might expand, putting pressure on surrounding nerves causing pain. But this has not been shown clearly. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Savage+rheumatoid+arthritis+pain+2015" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent study found</a> the combination of temperature, sunlight exposure and humidity correlates with joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. But the authors were quick to point out the variability in pain perception and other factors, like exercise and diet, means a clear link still can’t be drawn with confidence. How we can prevent aches in winter There are some things that can help reduce pain during the colder months. Exercise: joint pain is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28355375" target="_blank" rel="noopener">often associated with excess weight</a>, so a weight-loss exercise program will help to take the pressure off the joints. Exercise also helps to improve metabolism and blood flow through muscles and joints, which can reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain. Many people tend to be more active in the warmer months when the weather is pleasant and it’s comfortable to be outside. It’s important to continue exercise into winter as a reduction in physical activity in winter for more than two weeks <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Colliander+detraining" target="_blank" rel="noopener">results in loss of muscle strength</a> and mass as well as reduced bone density. Being inactive for long periods can lead to a gain in fat mass and overall body weight which puts <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28142365" target="_blank" rel="noopener">excess pressure on joints that can lead to injury</a>. Movements that include large muscles of the legs, arms and torso such as squats, sit-ups and push-ups can be done in a fairly small space, and so are ideal inside during winter. Resistance exercise of this type is important for muscle and bone strength. Like muscles, bones adapt to the stimulus of repeated load bearing making them stronger and less prone to injury. This is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Beavers+Martin+CHnge+bone+mineral+density+2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particularly important</a> for older individuals. This doesn’t mean you need to go to a gym and lift heavy weights, although you may consider joining a gym for individual or group exercise sessions. You can get enough stimulation for maintenance of muscle and bone strength through daily tasks and home workouts. Vitamin D: exercising regularly can help to reduce symptoms in the long term, and getting outdoors for longer periods more often provides <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27258303" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vitamin D for healthier bones and joints</a>. When daylight hours are limited, vitamin D supplements are a good way to continue to get the benefits of this vitamin, which has an important role in bone mineralisation, muscle function and nerve growth. Studies have found daily supplementation with vitamin D <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22592290" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduces the risk of bone fracture</a> and improves muscle strength for older people. It’s recommended adults get at least 200 to 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D daily if they’re getting some exposure to sunlight most days. It’s not easy to get vitamin D through diet, but in a country like Australia, where sunlight is available even in winter, this presents less of a problem than for people living in regions that have limited sunlight in winter. The best foods for vitamin D include fatty fish like sardines, mackerel and herring, milk, margarine and vitamin D-fortified soy drinks. But it’s important to remember dietary sources alone are not sufficient to provide enough vitamin D. Sunlight is an important source and supplementation should be considered for those who have limited exposure to the sun in winter. Glucosamine and chondroitin: glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate help to provide nourishment to cartilage to improve joint function. They make movement of the joint smoother by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26881338" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reducing the friction produced</a> between the articulating surfaces of the bones. Crustaceans provide a good source of glucosamine, while chondroitin sulphate can be obtained from cartilage of animal bones. Supplementation of these is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26881338" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prescribed for patients</a> with osteoarthritis to help restore cartilage. Heat therapy: heat therapy can help greatly when you do have pain. Warm baths or showers, particularly in the morning <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27403866" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can make a big difference</a> to the level of pain and stiffness. Warming the body increases elasticity of the tissue and improves blood flow making movement easier. It also activates neural pathways that <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00325481.2015.992719" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduce the brain’s perception of pain</a>. Written by Andrew Lavender. Republished with permission of <a href="http://theconversation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/81260/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Images: Getty

Body

Pets can get colds too – here’s how to keep them safe

With winter comes <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-virology-012420-022445">cold and flu season</a>, making coughs and sneezes rife. But it isn’t just humans who get struck down by these seasonal illnesses – our pets can too. While many of us have an arsenal of home remedies that we can use to combat these illnesses, the same doesn’t necessarily exist for pets. So what can we do for our four-legged companions if they become ill – and how can we prevent seasonal illnesses in the future? <h2>Cold and flu</h2> In the same way that coughs, colds and other respiratory illnesses spread more easily when we’re indoors with other people, the same applies to our pets. Dogs often pick up illnesses after staying in kennels, attending indoor training classes or at competitive events where they’re <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.02.005">in close contact with other dogs</a>. Infections can quickly spread via airborne particles, by sharing drinking water or from contaminated surfaces. We may also inadvertently carry infections to our pets, especially if we have previously handled or stroked an infected animal. Some disease-causing organisms can even remain viable on our clothes and footwear for several hours. Washing your hands, changing your clothes, and good hygiene remain <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/1115/p794.html">simple but effective ways</a> of limiting the spread of many infections, especially if you’re regularly in contact with several animals. <div data-id="17"> </div> Occasionally, diseases can also be passed between species, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0167">including from animal to human and vice versa</a>. These are called zoonotic diseases and can range from mild infections to more deadly diseases, such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-virology-100114-055157">rabies</a>. In such cases, more extreme control measures are needed to control the virus – such as quarantining animals. But if you do have a cold, your pet won’t catch it from you. The viruses that cause colds are specific to humans, though there are dog and cat versions that may cause <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.10.009">similar cold symptoms in our canine companions</a> and our <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/8/1435">feline friends</a>. The good news is that they also cannot share their cold with us. Similarly, <a href="https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-022-01888-x">flu tends to be species-specific</a>, although the influenza virus is good at mutating and occasionally “jumping” the species barrier. While rare, this does mean that there is a theoretical risk of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12723">flu transmission between animals and humans</a>. This why good hygiene and minimising close contact with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldz036">other species during outbreaks</a> is a good idea. <h2>Cold symptoms</h2> If your dog or cat does contract a cold, the symptoms are very similar to what we experience: sneezing, runny nose, coughing, possibly fever, tiredness and often reduced or lost appetite. If you think your pet is sick, it’s best to speak to your vet first to ensure you get the correct diagnosis. Your pet may also need specific treatment (such as antibiotics). Never be tempted to treat your pet with human medications, however. Over-the-counter medications that are safe for us can be potentially toxic for our pets. Ibuprofen, for example, is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5877(98)00051-8">dangerous for dogs</a>. There are many easy things you can do to help your pet when they’re sick. First, make sure they’re warm and comfortable, as this is essential for helping them recover. You can do this by providing extra bedding, or even pet-safe clothing for them. Many older dogs benefit from coats both indoors and out to keep old joints warm. Just make sure to wash or change their bedding regularly, to keep a pleasant environment for them to recover in. This will also help <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/4/59">reduce the risk</a> of the infection spreading to other pets in the household. Rest is important. Make sure your pet has a quiet, safe space – perhaps away from people and other animals. Reducing exercise is also a good idea, especially if your pet has a respiratory infection so you don’t stress their body further. Make sure fresh, clean drinking water is always available. If the weather is very cold, consider adding some warm water to encourage drinking. This is especially important for pets who live outdoors. If your dog starts to cough, especially when waking – and might even gag or retch – it’s <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2003.10.001">possible they’ve picked up kennel cough</a>. This is highly infectious, and a coughing dog should be kept well away from other dogs until the coughing has stopped and they have recovered. This includes not taking a coughing dog into your vet’s waiting room. However, kennel cough cannot spread to other species of pets (such as cats). For most otherwise healthy pets, seasonal illnesses are mild and self-limiting. Most pets recover quickly – within a few days. But if you’re at all concerned, your pet is very young or old, or suffers from other health conditions, always seek prompt advice from your vet. <h2>Keeping pets healthy</h2> There are many things you can do to reduce a pet’s likelihood of becoming ill. First, keep their <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/use-of-vaccines-and-factors-associated-with-their-uptake-variability-in-dogs-cats-and-rabbits-attending-a-large-sentinel-network-of-veterinary-practices-across-great-britain/F9ED2C4B0E2E6D6C57A3B95C6ED71A5A">vaccinations up to date</a> and ask your vet if there are any local diseases that may be of concern. While vaccinations won’t prevent everything, they will help support your pet’s health and reduce the risk of severe illness. Keeping pets <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.03.006">lean and at a healthy weight</a>, feeding a <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.748776/full">balanced diet</a> and making sure they always have clean drinking water are also simple, effective measures of supporting pet health. Keeping their sleeping area and <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0259478">food and water bowls clean</a> can also reduce disease risk further. We might share our homes, lives and sometimes beds with our pets, but fortunately, we don’t need to worry about sharing our seasonal coughs and colds with them. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/pets-can-get-colds-too-heres-how-to-keep-them-safe-196682" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Family & Pets

Queen Elizabeth's front line desires for her grandsons

A former army chief has revealed Queen Elizabeth's desires for both her grandsons to serve on the front lines. A new documentary has revealed that the late monarch wanted both Prince Harry and Prince William to serve in Afghanistan because they "must do their duty". In the upcoming ITV documentary The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, Former Army head General Sir Mike Jackson shared the details of a private conversation he had with Queen Elizabeth, breaking strict royal protocol by doing so. "What goes on in those audiences and who says what to whom remains for the two people involved, and I will break the rule about not divulging what goes on on this one occasion," Sir Mike told the five-part series. "She was very clear. She said, 'My grandsons have taken my shilling, therefore they must do their duty.' And that was that." Despite the Queen's wishes, Prince Harry was the only one of the brothers to go to Afghanistan, completing two tours of duty, during his 10 years the Army. Sir Mike went on to say that sending Prince William, the heir to the throne, into a war zone was too much for the Queen. "It was decided that William as heir to the heir, the risk is too great," he said. "But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable." Mark Cann, director of the British Forces Foundation, told the documentary that despite the reservations of the Crown, Prince William was enthusiastic about serving his country. He said, "William was very keen to go. Unequivocally." "But it was complex, and some very great minds and experienced people took a view on it." "I think it was really tricky. Anybody who's in the military who hasn't actually been on operation feels a sense of disappointment." "And I think especially that was the one (war) at the time, you've got everyone around you at the time who's been involved in it. So there is a sense of disappointment." The series goes on to explore the Queen's extensive knowledge about what was happening on the battlefields, with the former head of MI6 Sir John Scarlett saying the monarch had "complete clearance to everything". "She has complete access to an exceptional amount of info and insight for longer than anyone else," Sir John said. "She's very, very discreet, completely reliable and completely on top of the detail." "I remember thinking at the time, 'Wow, Her Majesty knows more about this than we do'." Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

3 reasons you feel hungrier and crave comfort foods when the weather turns cold

As we move through Autumn, parts of Australia are starting to see cooler weather. For some of us, that can mean increasing feelings of hunger and cravings for “comfort food” such as as pasta, stews and ramen. But what’s happening in our body? <h2>3 things change when it gets cold</h2> 1. Our body conserves heat It sends this energy it conserves to our internal organs so they can maintain their temperature and work properly. The body can also perform heat-generating activities (such as shivering), which uses <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21261804/">energy</a>. The body will then look for additional energy through calories from eating food. 2. Our body warms up when eating When we eat, the body needs to expend energy to digest, absorb, and metabolise the nutrients. This process requires the use of energy, which generates heat in the body, leading to an increase in body temperature termed “<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36012714/">diet-induced thermogenesis</a>”. However, the amount of energy used to keep us warm is quite <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/nonshivering-thermogenesis">modest</a>. 3. Some people experience a drop in the neurotransmitter called serotonin This is partly because the rate our body produces serotonin is related to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140673602117375.pdf">sunlight</a>, which is lower in winter. Serotonin helps to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep, among other things. When serotonin levels are low, it can lead to increased hunger and decreased satiety (feeling that you’ve had enough to eat), making us feel hungrier and less satisfied after meals. <h2>Why we love comfort food in winter</h2> Many of us struggle to eat salad in winter and crave mum’s chicken soup or a slow cooked, brothy ramen. Research shows our brain detects the cold weather and looks for warm <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/6/592">food</a>. Warm food can provide a sense of comfort and cosiness, which is particularly appealing during the colder months when we spend more time indoors. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878450X16300786">Comfort food</a> can mean something different for everyone. They are foods we reach for in periods of stress, nostalgia, discomfort (like being cold), or emotional turmoil. For most of us, the foods we often over-indulge in are rich and carbohydrate heavy. A drop in serotonin has also been shown to stimulate an urge to eat more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16340952/">carbohydrate-rich</a> foods such as gnocchi, pasta, ragout, mashed potatoes. <h2>What happens to those extra calories?</h2> If you consume more energy in cooler weather, some of it will be used to keep you warm. Beyond keeping us warm, extra calories we consume are stored. While most humans today have access to a year-round food supply, some research shows our bodies may still have some leftover instincts related to storing energy for the cooler months when food was harder to come by. This behaviour may also be driven by biological factors, such as changes in hormone levels that regulate appetite and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2013.00140/full">metabolism</a>. A fundamental principle of nutrition and metabolism is that the balance between the energy content of food eaten and energy expended to maintain life and to perform physical work affects body <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3302369/">weight</a>. This means any excess energy that we don’t use will be stored – usually as fat. Using mathematical modelling, researchers <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2015.2443">have predicted</a>weight gain is more likely when food is harder to find. Storing fat is an insurance against the risk of failing to find food, which for pre-industrial humans was most likely to happen in winter. <h2>It doesn’t have to be unhealthy</h2> No matter your cravings during cooler months, it’s important to remember your own personal health and wellbeing goals. If you’re worried about excess energy intake, a change in season is a great time to rethink healthy food choices. Including lots of whole fresh vegetables is key: think soups, curries, casseroles, and so on. Including protein (such as meat, fish, eggs, legumes) will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/3-reasons-you-feel-hungrier-and-crave-comfort-foods-when-the-weather-turns-cold-202831" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Food & Wine

"Help me!": Sydney dad executed in front of son identified

A father has been gunned down in front of his 12-year-old son in a suspected organised crime attack. Taha Sabbagh, a chauffeur who had often dealt with celebrities in his line of work, was in the car with his child when the horrific attack took place. The two were sitting inside of Taha’s Mercedes SUV outside of Elite Fight Force gym in Sydney’s southwestern auburn of Sefton at around 6:30 am when the shots were fired. Police responded to the reports of gunshots, and arrived to find a wounded Taha, who was treated by paramedics but ultimately passed away at the scene. The authorities have reported that the morning attack appeared to be targeted, and that Taha’s son made it out without physical injury. However, the young boy didn’t make it out entirely unscathed, having watched the entire scene unfold. Police made the confirmation, stating that 40-year-old Taha had been “shot with his 12-year-old son right next to him.” As one witness told The Daily Telegraph, “all I heard was a young guy screaming ‘help me, help me, my dad’s been shot’.” Another witness spoke to 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live about the incident, recalling his hope that it had just been a car backfiring, and that he “hesitated to go to the front of the workshop, obviously, and slowly looked out the window and saw people coming out. “Within minutes there was a load of ambulances, police everywhere, and then we saw a man on the ground, not in a good way ... It was frightening.” "It is horrendous a 12-year-old had to witness his father being shot dead in this manner," Superintendent Danny Doherty told reporters, commenting that what Taha’s son had seen was “very traumatising.” He also shared the police suspicion that Taha’s death “has all the hallmarks of an organised crime related murder … it was callous and brazen and [Taha’s killer] had little regard for human life.” “I know this happened in daylight in a suburban area of Sydney,” head of NSW’s Homicide Squad Detective Superintendent Doherty said, “and I think the community should be appalled that this happened in front of a 12-year-old. Quite rightly. “We’ve got a 40-year-old man who has been shot down in front of his son, and he is the victim.” Facebook’s Request Dua page shared the news of Taha’s death with its followers, paying tribute to the fallen man and remembering him as “a loving son, brother, father, husband, he was loved by many. “He will be missed greatly by all who knew him … Please remember our beloved and family and loved ones in your Dua. We ask Allah to give his family, wife and children comfort during this test.” Images: Instagram, 9News

News

URGENT RECALL of 44 different cough medicines

Numerous cough medicines containing pholcodine are being stripped from pharmacy shelves after a safety investigation was undertaken by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 55 products are being cancelled from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Of the 55 products containing pholcodine that were registered in Australia, 44 products are currently stocked on shelves in pharmacies and are subject to the recall, a spokesperson from the TGA told 7News. The discovery of a new link between pholcodine-containing medicines and an increased risk of anaphylactic reactions to certain medicines used as muscle relaxants during general anaesthesia prompted the action. Pholcodine has been used in a wide range of over-the-counter medicines to treat dry coughs, particularly present in syrups and lozenges. It is also used in combination with other medicines in products that treat the symptoms of cold and flu. “It is difficult to reliably predict who may be at risk of anaphylaxis during anaesthesia and some patients may not know if they have taken pholcodine medicines recently,” TGA Head Adjunct Professor John Skerritt said. “Some patients undergoing emergency surgery may not be in a position to talk to their anaesthetist at all. In addition, while surgical facilities may ask about which prescription medicines a patient is taking, they may not ask about over-the-counter products. “Fortunately, safer alternatives to treat a dry cough are available and consumers should ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice. I urge consumers to check if any of your over-the-counter cold and flu medicines contain pholcodine and, if they do, ask your doctor or pharmacist to suggest an alternative treatment. “If you will need general anaesthesia and have taken pholcodine in the past 12 months, I advise you to tell your health professional. Health professionals should also check whether patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia have used pholcodine in the previous 12 months.” The European Medicines Agency (EMA) had recently recommended the withdrawal of marketing authorisations for these products in Europe, prompting the review in Australia. Supported by a Western Australia study, the European findings showed that pholcodine was a risk factor. The TGA has received 50 reports of Australian cases of suspected pholcodine-related anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blockers, including one fatality earlier this year. Find the full list of recalled products <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/information-about-specific-safety-alerts-and-recalls/about-pholcodine-cough-medicines-cancelled-tga-and-recalled-pharmacies-safety-reasons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image credit: Getty

News

"That was the last time they ever spoke to her": Police announce $1m reward

22 years ago, Mooroolbark girl Cherie Westell was last seen in Wantirna South on December 12, 2000, only days before her 16th birthday at the time. Today, Victoria Police have announced a $1 million reward for information that will help solve the cold case. A coroner found in 2003 that Cherie had most likely died, with police believing foul play was involved. Despite speaking to several witnesses over the past two decades investigators are still chasing new leads, with Detective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge of the Missing Persons Squad labelling the missing person's case "every family's worst nightmare”. "22 years ago, a young teenage girl called her family to let them know she was on her way home, and that was the last time they ever spoke to her," Combridge said. "She was loved by her family and friends, who are all hoping they can find some answers as to what happened to her. "Those responsible for Cherie's disappearance have had to live with this secret for over two decades. 22 years is a very long time to be looking over your shoulder." Police are hoping the money provides some incentive for people to come forward. "It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case," Combridge said. "Now is the time to do the right thing and come forward. Any information received by police will be investigated thoroughly, and we will continue to search for the truth of what happened to Cherie to provide those answers to her loved ones and the community.” The reward of up to $1 million will be paid for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for Cherie's disappearance. After a dentist appointment, Cherrie contacted family via a pay phone letting them know she was on the way home. This was the last known contact anyone had with her. At the time of her disappearance, Cherie was a ward of the state, which complicated the investigation initially. Her previous foster mother, Frances, tried to make a police report immediately but was told a biological family member was required for that to occur. A missing persons report was not filed until six days later and any trace of the teen was gone. Image: Victoria Police

Legal

Cold homes increase the risk of severe mental health problems – new study

Concerns about <a href="https://theconversation.com/energy-crisis-the-uk-is-still-heading-for-widespread-fuel-poverty-despite-the-governments-price-cap-190290" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fuel poverty</a> and people not being able to heat their homes adequately are not new in the UK, but these worries have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/26/warm-banks-open-wolverhampton-cost-of-living-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heightened</a> by significant increases in energy costs and the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-cost-of-living-crisis-has-been-many-years-in-the-making-but-politicians-on-both-sides-ignore-this-189483" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost-of-living crisis</a>. And as winter approaches, things are about to get a lot worse. Despite a relatively mild climate, the UK has higher levels of excess winter deaths – deaths associated with cold weather – than <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140673614621140" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many colder countries</a>. This greater exposure to cold, despite milder weather, is related to poor housing quality, the high cost of heating homes and poverty. We know quite a lot about how living in a home that you can’t keep warm enough affects your physical health. Colder temperatures <a href="https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/the-health-impacts-of-cold-homes-and-fuel-poverty/the-health-impacts-of-cold-homes-and-fuel-poverty.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suppress the immune system</a>, for example. But we know relatively little about the effects on mental health. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115461" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our new research</a> shows that living in a cold home is a significant mental health risk. Living in a cold home can affect your mental health in several ways. For many, heating costs are a source of stress and financial strain. Not being able to keep your home and family comfortably warm reduces feelings of control and autonomy over your environment. People who are unable to heat their home often adopt coping mechanisms that <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00558.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limit socialising</a> – for example, not inviting friends over and going to bed early to keep warm. And many people are just worn down by the drudgery of a whole winter of being uncomfortably cold. Using <a href="https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from a large representative sample of adults in the UK, we followed people over many years and tracked the effect of being unable to keep your home warm on mental health. When people’s homes became cold, their risk of severe mental distress significantly increased. For people who previously had no mental health problems, the odds of severe mental distress doubled when they had a cold home, while for those who had some (but not severe) mental health symptoms, the risk tripled (see chart below). We found these effects even after taking into account many other factors associated with mental health, including income. Odds of reporting severe mental distress following transition into cold housing compared to those who remained in warm homes <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=607&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=607&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492381/original/file-20221028-61968-sxkqgr.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=607&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>author provided</figcaption></figure> Sadly, the risk of living in a cold home differs greatly across the UK population. Lone parents and people who are unemployed or long-term sick are much more likely to live in cold homes. There is also significant inequality across ethnic groups – more than 12% of black people live in cold homes compared with under 6% of white British people, for example. Those who rent rather than own their home are also far more likely to live in cold homes, for social renters this is despite the, on average, <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1088447/EHS_Housing_quality_and_condition_report_2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">higher quality and</a><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1091144/Energy_Report_2020_revised.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">efficiency</a> of social rented homes. Putting on another jumper won’t be enough to get many in the UK through the coming winter. And mental health distress is just one consequence. Cold homes cause issues with significant personal and societal costs – from individual health effects to the increased pressure on the NHS, as well as broader economic loss due to missed work. Rishi Sunak’s new government needs to help people live in adequately warm homes this winter. But how? The older age of housing in the UK is <a href="http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/projects/the-health-impacts-of-cold-homes-and-fuel-poverty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heavily implicated</a> in the UK’s high levels of cold. Support for energy efficiency improvements is therefore a possible means of reducing cold homes. This will also mean tackling the so-called “split incentive” in the private rented sector, which houses a significant proportion of households. The split incentive refers to the challenge of the benefits of improvements not being experienced by the property owners but by tenants, reducing the incentive for owners to invest. This results in poorer quality and more expensive homes for renters. Heat or eat? Most can’t afford either The high proportion of cold homes in the social housing sector – despite having the best average energy efficiency due to insulation and building types (flats) – shows that energy efficiency improvements alone will not eliminate cold. <a href="https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/the-living-standards-outlook-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Incomes in the UK are falling</a>. Benefit levels are <a href="https://theconversation.com/raising-benefits-in-line-with-earnings-will-make-the-poor-worse-off-heres-why-192880" target="_blank" rel="noopener">painfully low</a> and worsened by policies including the benefit cap, two-child limit and sanctions. Years of cuts and <a href="https://www.jrf.org.uk/file/59072/download?token=acsEgZp7&filetype=briefing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">below inflation rises</a> mean that the term “heat or eat”, used to describe difficult spending decisions for low-income households, is now out of date, as <a href="https://www.jrf.org.uk/file/59191/download?token=PCFIM8W9&filetype=briefing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many can afford neither</a>. The combination of low household incomes with surging energy costs has created devastating pressure on household budgets. While the energy cap has limited energy cost increases below the worst estimates, energy bills have still <a href="https://theconversation.com/energy-crisis-the-uk-is-still-heading-for-widespread-fuel-poverty-despite-the-governments-price-cap-190290" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than doubled in the past year</a>. And prepayment meters mean that those the with the least end up paying the most. There are, therefore, many areas for potential government intervention, and clear evidence that failing to intervene will cause harm to health.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193125/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Amy Clair. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/cold-homes-increase-the-risk-of-severe-mental-health-problems-new-study-193125" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

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Why has my cold dragged on so long, and how do I know when it’s morphed into something more serious?

Common colds are caused by viruses. There are no effective cures, and antibiotics do not work on viruses, so treatment is targeted at managing the symptoms until your immune system has cleared the cold. So why might someone go to a doctor at all for a cold? Well, occasionally a cold might turn into something more serious requiring assessment and specific treatment, and a GP visit could be warranted. Or you may just want reassurance and advice. <h2>Don’t rush to the GP for something totally normal</h2> Problems arise when there too many unwarranted visits to GPs for cold symptoms. Studies have shown <a href="https://www.annfammed.org/content/11/1/5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antibiotics</a> are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/mja16.01042" target="_blank" rel="noopener">still prescribed widely</a> for viral colds, even though they don’t help, and this contributes to antibiotic resistance. It hastens the arrival of an era when many antibiotics simply don’t work at all. On average, children have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152362/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four to six colds</a> per year, while in adults the average is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152362/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two to three</a>. Some people are more <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1530156705601189?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prone</a> to colds, but we don’t know exactly why. The usual cold persists about one week, although 25% last two weeks. In one <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jcm.35.11.2864-2868.1997" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> with 346 adults, the infection lasted 9.5 to 11 days. Cold symptoms may last longer in younger children. One <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/87/2/129/56810/Upper-Respiratory-Tract-Infections-in-Young?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> showed an average duration of colds ranged from 6.6 to 9 days. But symptoms lasted more than 15 days in 6.5% of 1-3 year old children in home care, and 13.1% of 2-3 year old children in day care. A cough tends to last longer than other symptoms, and often beyond the actual viral infection. The average <a href="https://www.annfammed.org/content/11/1/5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">duration</a> of a cough is about 17.8 days. <h2>Discoloured sputum, cough or snot</h2> Discoloured mucus in snot or cough is a common trigger for requesting antibiotics from a GP. But as we know, antibiotics are useless against a virus. They only work against bacterial infection. In fact, thick or coloured nasal mucus secretion is common following colds. Only a tiny proportion <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc7151789" target="_blank" rel="noopener">involve</a> bacterial infection. When it happens, this is termed <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/treating-acute-sinusitis-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acute rhinosinusitis</a>. But antibiotics are not recommended unless it lasts more than ten to 14 days and there are <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc7151789" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs</a> of bacterial sinusitis infection, such as: <ul> <li>symptoms worsening after improvement in the original cold</li> <li>return of fever and</li> <li>strong facial pain.</li> </ul> A prolonged cough after colds is usually caused by an irritated throat or the clearing of sticky mucus coming down from the nose. The cough may sound moist (so wrongly called “chesty”) due to the phlegm, but only small amounts of phlegm are coughed up. Yellow or green coloured mucus is often interpreted as a <a href="http://theconversation.com/health-check-what-you-need-to-know-about-mucus-and-phlegm-33192" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign</a> of bacterial infection. But yellow or green sputum alone <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02813430902759663" target="_blank" rel="noopener">does not</a> mean you have a serious bacterial infection. One study found being prescribed antibiotics under these circumstances <a href="https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/1/119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">failed</a> to shorten recovery time. Nasal saline sprays and washes can be used to rinse out the nose and sinuses and possibly <a href="https://dtb.bmj.com/content/57/4/56" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shorten</a> rhinosinusitis and cough after colds. <h2>Could it just be hayfever, or another underlying issue?</h2> Hayfever or allergic rhinitis is a common cause for prolonged symptoms after a cold, especially cough and nasal congestion and maybe also sneezing. The damage in the upper airways following a viral infection may allow airborne allergens to trigger hayfever. Self-medicating with antihistamines, nasal saline spray or intranasal steroids is worthwhile if <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-why-do-i-have-a-cough-and-what-can-i-do-about-it-119172" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allergic rhinitis</a> is suspected. There may be other reasons for persistence of cough, such as exacerbation of underlying asthma or chronic lung disease. If so, this may require a visit to your GP. <h2>What about bronchitis or pneumonia?</h2> Many people worry about developing a chest infection after a cold. Acute bronchitis is a self-limiting infectious disease characterised by acute cough with or without sputum but without <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pneumonia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs of pneumonia</a> (such as high temperatures and feeling breathless). Most acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are often prescribed, but produce <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14787210.2016.1193435" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no significant clinical improvement</a> compared with placebo, so are not recommended. Pneumonia is a potentially serious secondary disease that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28159155/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may follow</a> an episode of flu in a small number of cases, but is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532961/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relatively rare</a> following a cold. Symptoms and signs of pneumonia feature heavily in the list of warning signs that signal the need for a medical assessment. <h2>When should I seek medical help for a cough or a cold?</h2> Contact a GP if you experience: <ul> <li>shortness of breath or trouble breathing</li> <li>feeling faint or dizzy</li> <li>chest pain</li> <li>dehydration</li> <li>fever or cough symptoms that improve but then return or worsen</li> <li>worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma.</li> </ul> This is not a complete list, but may guide you on what to expect and what to watch out for. You might also contact your GP (perhaps for a telehealth consult) if you are finding your symptoms very unpleasant, or are concerned your condition is more serious or prolonged than expected. You might just need reassurance and education about self care options. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-has-my-cold-dragged-on-so-long-and-how-do-i-know-when-its-morphed-into-something-more-serious-190429" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

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