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Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold
A quarter of the people infected with a cold virus don't get sick. What's so different about these folks?
When it comes to colds, being young is no advantage: Teenagers catch twice as many as people over fifty.
It's strange but true: If you want to tamp down cold symptoms, "boosting" your immune system is actually the last thing you want to do!
The ways colds spread may surpr
...moreHardcover, 245 pages
Published
September 2nd 2010
by Twelve
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"Ah-Choo!" is a book about the common cold: how you pick them up, what cold symptoms are and why, who is most likely to get a cold, how cold viruses work, how your body reacts, historical views on colds and how to treat them, modern treatments and how well they work, the expert's advice on how to treat colds and prevent getting them, and trivia.
This book was generally engaging and easy to follow, but the author included a lot of scientific studies in some chapters. I liked those, but she wasn't...more
This book was generally engaging and easy to follow, but the author included a lot of scientific studies in some chapters. I liked those, but she wasn't...more
The inside flap of this book warns: “‘Ah-Choo!’ contains thought-provoking and hilarious insights into the history and biology of the common cold, including bizarre historic remedies. Reading may include … long periods of being able to talk about anything else.” Fortunately, my bf is nerdy in a sciency way and doesn’t mind my reading random and sometimes gross facts about colds.
This lively book addresses a variety of topics regarding the common cold, quoting throughout from Charles Lamb’s writin...more
This lively book addresses a variety of topics regarding the common cold, quoting throughout from Charles Lamb’s writin...more
This is an interesting look at the latest research on the common cold: its causes, how it spreads, how it operates inside your body, possible remedies, and how to keep from coming down with one. The author reminds me of a less-funny Mary Roach in that she has gone out and talked to many researchers in all areas, and has gone so far as to become a part of a research study, allowing herself to be infected with a cold. Some points I learned: 1)the actual cold causes less misery than your body's inf...more
I really liked this book. It explained a lot about the genetics and types of cold viruses and why they are different from the influenza viruses, and how they rapidly spread, and how and why you're likely to infect people before you even realize you're sick.
Ackerman delves into the history of this common ailment, and discusses myths about how colds are "caught" and past remedies for the disease, before moving on to more modern treatments and recent studies that highlight the low levels of effica...more
Ackerman delves into the history of this common ailment, and discusses myths about how colds are "caught" and past remedies for the disease, before moving on to more modern treatments and recent studies that highlight the low levels of effica...more
Oct 30, 2010
Heidi
added it
This was an interesting (and validating!) read as we enter winter with our newborn. Wash your hands frequently, don't touch your face, hand sanitizer works, antibiotic soaps don't work, don't touch all the stuff I avoid touching already (anything frequently touched in public - door handles, sink knobs, elevator buttons) and in RSV season avoid large groups, small children (haha!) and anyone sick. I did learn some new stuff about how long cold viruses live on hard surfaces & dry vs. wet but a...more
As you might expect Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your common Cold is all about the common cold ... causes, symptoms, treatments, how it spreads, and why it makes you feel like crap (it doesn't, it's your bodies immune response that creates the symptoms). Ackerman does a nice job creating an interesting book about an unpleasant topic and dispels a number of myths and highlights the pseudo-science surrounding colds and their treatment. In case you're wondering ... there is absolutely no scientif...more
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 walki...more
Fascinating stuff, and yet discouraging...this book will tell you everything you ever wanted (or didn't want ) to know about the common cold: why we catch them, our immune system's role in the battle, how close we are to a cure (we're not), and what one can do about having one or not catching one...unfortunately, not a whole heck of a lot. The biggest surprise was the news that "boosting the immune system" is not necessarily a good idea - it could exacerbate your symptoms, since they are an immu...more
I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program. Since it's from the advanced uncorrected proofs, there's a warning inside not to use quotes because some of what's in this copy may not be in the final copy, so I feel I have to be cautious about what I reveal.
I've always been kind of fascinated by colds because I used to get a lot of them. I always wondered why my throat felt like it was on fire and why the "stuffiness" seem never-ending, even after giving my nose a good, strong...more
I've always been kind of fascinated by colds because I used to get a lot of them. I always wondered why my throat felt like it was on fire and why the "stuffiness" seem never-ending, even after giving my nose a good, strong...more
A quick read that runs through the latest research into the common cold. Ackerman enters herself in trials in which she is infected with viruses that cause colds. She profiles some of the foremost researchers into colds and asks them how they treat themselves and their families. There are chapters on the viruses that cause colds, the modes of transmission and the evidence behind various cold remedies. Amusingly, she ends the book with a chapter concluding that there's not much to be done about c...more
This book has fascinating information, wry sense of humor, and a pretty good dose of disgusting factor. The author subjects herself to be a willing victim of the most common cold all in the name of science. So scientists could look in her nose and throat, etc. Apparently, there is money in this study, although not enough to convince me to enlist.
The book addresses how the viruses are transmitted, how they work their way into the body to replicate itself, what it looks like, myths, and a whole di...more
The book addresses how the viruses are transmitted, how they work their way into the body to replicate itself, what it looks like, myths, and a whole di...more
Ackerman goes through all the different studies that have been done on the common cold. How and where you catch one, what can factor into whether you catch one, what are the best ways to avoid catching one and research on all the cold medicines and folk remedies that claim to fight one off. There are a lot of interesting facts here about what a cold actually does to your body, what causes the different symptoms, why it is impossible to create a vaccine and many others. (Did you know that you swa...more
If you have ever been blind-sided by a cold from hell you will find this book informative and enlightening. For instance - did you know that the average adult will spend a year of their life in bed recovering from a cold? And that cold symptoms are not caused by the cold virus, but are our body's immune response to fighting the cold. Whatever you do to fight your cold and the authorities say you really shouldn't, don't take an immunity booster or you will make your cold worse. In this heavily r...more
I was skeptical when I received this book from a friend, that is was one of those boring technical books with too many facts that would not hold my interest. However, I was incorrect. The book had many interesting tid its of information that along with the anatomy of the common cold and all its trials and tribulations was an infomative and comprehensive book on the common cold.
Some questions it answers: Birth order and the cold, why it's ok not to make your bed, a big hit in my family and the wh...more
Some questions it answers: Birth order and the cold, why it's ok not to make your bed, a big hit in my family and the wh...more
What a delightful read! If you have any interest in colds, the operations of your body, viruses or science in general, you will want to read this book! In sprightly, organized, entertaining form, the book informs the reader about what colds are and aren't, how colds operate in the body, how they spread, and how you should take care of yourself to treat or avoid catching one, blasting many old wives tales and misinformation you might think true.
a wonderful book about the science behind colds and remedies... (those 'immune boosters'.. they do nothing, those products that promise to prevent colds.. they do nothing) A cold normally lasts 5 - 7 days no matter what you do. Interesting point.. did you know that you should not give cold medicine to children? there is no evidence that it actually does anything and can actually harm kids.
Some colds are like mice, timid and annoying; others like dragons, accompanied by body aches and deep misery. In Ah-Choo! Jennifer Ackerman explains what, exactly, a cold is, how it works, and whether it's really possible to 'fight one off.'
Listen to Ah-Choo! on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to Ah-Choo! on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
This was a quick and easy read that managed to be funny while still presenting a lot of information about how the common cold has been studied and what we know about it so far. The section that detailed the efficacy of various remedies was less than interesting (and I didn't learn anything new from it), but the bulk of the book was worthwhile.
Jul 25, 2011
Martin
added it
A light, but very educational, treatise on the common cold. Nothing terribly revelatory to me, but might be very informative for those ill-informed. I do think this should be required reading for the ignorant (for lack of a better word) masses, so therefore I am going to forgo my first inkling - to give a Cliffs Notes version of the information therein - and instead urge you to read this book, just so that you'll, y'know, know more - and know better.
Quite good! I'm really liking these one topic science books lately. The writing is excellent and I learned a lot - for instance, green snot does not mean a bacterial infection (it just indicated iron in the mucus) and the cold symptoms are actually caused by the good guys in our body fighting off the virus. Recommend.
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This book was very enlightening. I didn't think I would like it, I thought there would be too many facts and not a easy read. The author informed me as well as kept me interested. I would recommend to all, as sometime you will get the common cold.
Hilarious, myths, and a variety of cold remedies and trying to catch a cure for the common or uncommon cold. But serously...My recommendation is you have a severe sore throat? Take some tablesoons of Cool-whip or other non-dairy topping. (I was desparate, you see, but it works!)
How would have thought there was so much information on the common cold. Turns out it is not that common after all. Lots of interesting facts and recommendations on what works fighting and alleviating the symptoms of a cold. Great read and a nice surprise!
Decent look at the variety of colds that exist, how and why people catch them and how folks try to endure/overcome them.
Good stuff. I learned a lot that I didn't know about colds, and I might approach future colds a little bit differently.
I hate to say this, but I couldn't finish this book. It was very well written, but I would probably put my self in a germ free bubble and never leave it had I finished it.
There are viruses and bacteria everywhere, therefore wash your hands, don't have kids because they are germy, and eat chicken soup when you have cold. I've told you everything you need to know. Now you don't need to waste your money on the book.
Fascinating...great for anyone to read. The author debunks a lot of myths about cold virus transmission.
Very fun read! I loved all the scientific information, and the author has a very engaging style.
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Jennifer Ackerman's most recent book is Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body. Her previous books include Chance in the House of Fate: A Natural History of Heredity, and Notes from the Shore. A contributor to National Geographic, The New York Times, and many other publications, her articles and essays have been included in several anthologies, among them Best American Science W...more
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Nov 19, 2010 12:44pm