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." Scientists call this the Golden Age of the Common Cold because Americans suffer up to a billion colds each year, resulting in 40 million days of missed work and school and 100 million doctor visits. They've also learned over the past decade much more about what cold viruses are, what they do to the human body, and how symptoms can be addressed. In this ode to the odious cold, Ackerman sifts through the chatter about treatments-what works, what doesn't, and what can't hurt. She dispels myths, such as susceptibility to colds reflects a weakened immune system. And she tracks current research, including work at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, a world-renowned center of cold research studies, where the search for a cure continues.
Ah-Choo!: The Uncommon Life of Your Common Cold
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
*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
Review
"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)." ---Booklist Starred Review
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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.
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By LegalBeagle
Format:Hardcover
According to Jennifer Ackerman, author of Ah-Choo, the average adult will suffer approximately 200 colds in a lifetime with each one occurring about twice a year. This translates into about five years of cold symptoms and a full year in bed. That is a lot of Kleenex tissues!
In Ah-Choo, Ackerman investigates how colds are transmitted; the latest research developments for preventing/curing the "common" cold; and the best treatment of cold symptoms. Unfortunately, much of the medical research detailed by Ackerman does not provide significant hope for cure, prevention, or even treatment of a cold. Rather it appears that due to the cold's evolving nature a cure is long way off. Moreover, the best ways to prevent a cold are the low tech methods: engaging in frequent hand washing, refraining from touching/contaminating one's face; and avoiding children (who are the frequent bearers of cold viruses) - which is, of course, highly impractical for parents and teachers. As for treating a cold, a single ibuprofen (or other analgesic), rest, and maybe chicken soup are all that are recommended. Counter intuitively, a cold victim should think twice before trying to build up his/her immune system. One take away from Ah-Choo is that "cold symptoms do not result from the destructive effects of viruses . . . [rather the symptoms are] in response to the presence of a virus [that] the body sets in motion." In other words, the immune system is battling the virus by creating the symptoms that make one miserable!
Overall, Ah-Choo does an excellent job of translating technical medical research into a highly readable format for lay readers.
Publisher: Twelve (September 2, 2010), 256 pages.
Advance review copy provided courtesy of the publisher.
In Ah-Choo, Ackerman investigates how colds are transmitted; the latest research developments for preventing/curing the "common" cold; and the best treatment of cold symptoms. Unfortunately, much of the medical research detailed by Ackerman does not provide significant hope for cure, prevention, or even treatment of a cold. Rather it appears that due to the cold's evolving nature a cure is long way off. Moreover, the best ways to prevent a cold are the low tech methods: engaging in frequent hand washing, refraining from touching/contaminating one's face; and avoiding children (who are the frequent bearers of cold viruses) - which is, of course, highly impractical for parents and teachers. As for treating a cold, a single ibuprofen (or other analgesic), rest, and maybe chicken soup are all that are recommended. Counter intuitively, a cold victim should think twice before trying to build up his/her immune system. One take away from Ah-Choo is that "cold symptoms do not result from the destructive effects of viruses . . . [rather the symptoms are] in response to the presence of a virus [that] the body sets in motion." In other words, the immune system is battling the virus by creating the symptoms that make one miserable!
Overall, Ah-Choo does an excellent job of translating technical medical research into a highly readable format for lay readers.
Publisher: Twelve (September 2, 2010), 256 pages.
Advance review copy provided courtesy of the publisher.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book provides a natural history of the common cold. Ackerman is an author and science journalist who has endured her fair share of colds over the years, and even enrolled in cold virus studies in the interests of science. In this book, she has collated a wide variety of information summarizing current scientific understanding of colds, how they are transmitted, how they produce symptoms, and the efficacy of various cold remedies. The book is written for general audiences but contains numerous references to original sources, especially peer-reviewed scientific literature, in the end notes.
This book is fascinating as well as informative. Ackerman provides a description not only of various aspects of cold viruses, but also an overview of the history of scientific research on colds, how and why volunteers were persuaded to be infected with cold viruses in order to further our understanding of them. She debunks a few myths about colds, such as their being spread by recirculating air in airplanes, and emphasizes the results on hand-to-face transmission. She reviews research on cold remedies, pointing out deficiencies in research methodology as well as overstated claims. Overall, this is an informative and engaging book, well worth reading.
This book is fascinating as well as informative. Ackerman provides a description not only of various aspects of cold viruses, but also an overview of the history of scientific research on colds, how and why volunteers were persuaded to be infected with cold viruses in order to further our understanding of them. She debunks a few myths about colds, such as their being spread by recirculating air in airplanes, and emphasizes the results on hand-to-face transmission. She reviews research on cold remedies, pointing out deficiencies in research methodology as well as overstated claims. Overall, this is an informative and engaging book, well worth reading.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
AH-CHOO! THE UNCOMMON LIFE OF YOUR COMMON COLD comes from a scientist who addresses common misconceptions about colds, offers the latest research, and tells what works and what doesn't, in treatment options. Facts, fiction and fun permeate a history and health guide to the common cold, making this a fine pick for any general lending library.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Nev Okyay
Format:Hardcover
I read this book because of the topic it covers:
latest research on common cold. It is an interesting
topic that is relevant to each and every person.
My problem with this book is that the prose used
was long winded and it seemed like the author was trying
to fill 200 some pages with what few facts about
common cold that exists. I would rather read 50
pages of distilled to the point essentials than
convoluted sentences with words grabbed from thesarus.
It just makes the book harder to read. Note: I
am not talking about the medical technical terms here.
In spite of what I said in the previous paragraph
I got some helpful tips on avoiding colds. It may
be easier to get these tips from a web page on the
internet somewhere, I don't know.
latest research on common cold. It is an interesting
topic that is relevant to each and every person.
My problem with this book is that the prose used
was long winded and it seemed like the author was trying
to fill 200 some pages with what few facts about
common cold that exists. I would rather read 50
pages of distilled to the point essentials than
convoluted sentences with words grabbed from thesarus.
It just makes the book harder to read. Note: I
am not talking about the medical technical terms here.
In spite of what I said in the previous paragraph
I got some helpful tips on avoiding colds. It may
be easier to get these tips from a web page on the
internet somewhere, I don't know.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Keith Doms
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Achoo" is both very enlightening and enjoyable. The author, Jennifer Ackerman, expolres the history of research on colds, cold viruses, the symptoms, transmittal, and the efficacy of common cold fighting treatments and medicines. The book dispells many common myths about the common cold. The writing styleis clear and easily read. Ackerman explains the science in in a clear straight forward way that is readily understood.
Ackerman's "Achoo" reminds me of the books by Mary Roach which I enjoy and highly recommend.
Ackerman's "Achoo" reminds me of the books by Mary Roach which I enjoy and highly recommend.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simple and safe curing method
My years old curing method is quite simple and effective.
Put a mask to keep yor nose warm and humid and set a couple of warm pads around the neck. Read more
Put a mask to keep yor nose warm and humid and set a couple of warm pads around the neck. Read more
Published 6 months ago by mochomio
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some useful information
"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,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cold & Germs...
I hardly ever catch cold but regardless I appreciate any knowledge which will help me to stay healthy. Read more
Published 15 months ago by NYFB
5.0 out of 5 stars
The cure for the common cold exists
Contrary to what the orthodox medical establishment believes a cure for the common cold -- and the flu -- exists and is readily available. it's vitamin C. Read more
Published 21 months ago by D. R. Schryer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Avoiding Cold, One day at a time!
I heard the author on NPR and instantly captured my attention. Cold is a part of my family (2 kids) once school starts. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Chandra Sekhar
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