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Colds are Often the Uninvited Guests at the Thanksgiving Table FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A few extra pounds may not be the only thing family members gain at Thanksgiving dinner. Squeezing in at the dining room table, passing the cranberries and sweet potatoes, huddling around the television to watch parades and football -- the close quarters of the holidays can make everyone more susceptible to cold viruses. With Thanksgiving falling during cold season, kids are often sniffling, sneezing and wheezing their way through the first of the six to 10 colds they're likely to catch. So there is going to be a chance that cold-causing viruses will show up at the family feast along with everyone else and be passed around with the turkey and stuffing. "No one is saying to avoid family holiday gatherings," explained Mark Stegelman, M.D., a pediatric urgent care physician with Emory Eastside Medical Center, Snellville, GA. "However, it is important to be aware that cold viruses can be lurking. And when groups of people are together indoors, there is an increased chance that they'll catch a cold. Colds are virtually a rite of passage, kids are going to catch them, bring them home and expose other family members, causing a tremendous cyclical effect." While the cycle of colds can't always be broken, the good news is there are a number of simple steps families can take to keep germs at bay and decrease the number of colds hitting the household. Teach children to cover sneezes, wash hands frequently and use a paper towel or sleeve to twist a doorknob. And when colds do hit, over-the-counter (OTC) medication, facial tissues and orange juice can help children feel better. Parents should also know about the newest option available to combat their kids' cold symptoms, Children's Motrin(R) Cold. It is the first and only OTC children's cold product to combine ibuprofen with a decongestant (pseudoephedrine HCl) for the temporary relief of kids' most troublesome cold symptoms. And you will be reassured to know that Children's Motrin Cold does not contain phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Cycle of Colds Confirmed in National Consumer Survey A new survey conducted by Yankelovich Partners Inc., is evidence that the cycle of colds hits home. Approximately three-fourths of parents (74%) say their kids catch a cold first, and even more parents (77%) have witnessed colds spreading to other family members. Colds keep Americans from their regular routines more often than you may think. Each year, kids miss 22 million school days due to colds -- not surprising considering kids catch 85% of the 62 million cases of the common cold each year. Americans in general spend 45 million days sick at home thanks to colds -- the most common contagious disease in the world. It's no wonder that most parents surveyed agree the ripple effect of colds on families is often underestimated. "Although cold symptoms may not be as severe as those of the flu, a cold's incredible ability to invade your home and disrupt your routine repeatedly throughout the year can be even more wearing," emphasized Peggy L. DeFelice, MD, Philadelphia-area pediatrician and mother of five young children. For more information about kids' colds, log onto http://www.cycleofcolds.com . McNeil Consumer Healthcare, headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa., is a member of the Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) family of companies. McNeil's OTC pain reliever franchise is one of the most extensive and comprehensive of any company in the world, with its Motrin(R) and TYLENOL(R) brands. SOURCE McNeil
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