Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold by Jennifer Ackerman

*Starred Review* An entire arm of science—even a British research center called the Common Cold Unit (CCU)—dedicated to studying the common cold? Why not? Certainly an ailment that supports a multibillion-dollar industry of mostly quackery ought to inspire a certain amount of scientific interest. Indeed the common cold is far from being the stuffy subject one might expect. In the hands of gifted science writer Ackerman, the cold is addressed with dry wit while she covers every detail from soup (chicken, of course) to nuts (folk remedies). Only a science writer can find being intentionally inoculated with a cold virus and sequestered for a weekend entertaining. Among the lesser-known facts she reveals: colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses, one of which can even make you fat! What’s more, building up one’s immune system may exacerbate a cold’s symptoms; and as for those trendy antibacterial soaps and lotions, they are worthless against cold viruses. Amid all this “nasal gazing,” there is one folk remedy that may be worth considering. In Domestic Medicine (1772), William Buchan instructs, “Go to bed, hang your hat on the foot of the bed, and continue to drink until you see two hats.” --Donna Chavez

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I don't think I will ever see the cure of the common cold in my lifetime, but this book makes me feel better about them and the fact that there is not much you can do but rest and recover. And everything your mom always told you is pretty much true. My mother always said to keep your hands away from your face, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, drink lots of water and have some soup. This book shows you that mom always did know best. Oh, and keep away from small children, they are walking germ factories. Some of the things in this book are truly scary. I mean how often do you think about cleaning out your washing machine? Just think about washing your underwear and where you wear those underthings. Yes, pretty gross. The author goes into detail about the history and treatments that are known to work and are worth buying although, so far, not much.