Gan Mao

The Chinese word for a cold is gan mao...but I am not sure that "a cold" is the best translation. Gan mao can mean anything from a sniffle to a fever and everything in between. One of the biggest cultural differences between the east and west has to do with sickness- both how you get it and how you cure it. Chinese tend to blame a lot on the wind...and the cold...and the changing temperatures. But there is really no talk of germs, bacteria, viruses etc and therefore hand washing isn't all that popular. But wearing lots of clothes and avoiding the wind are very important in cold-prevention theories here.

For example...I was at the park with Austin this week and he was playing in the sandbox when a Chinese grandma brought her 18 month old grandson over to the sandbox, pulled his pants down and let him pee IN the sandbox. But was concerned about the amount of clothes Austin was wearing. I actually got a little mad at her and asked why she was letting him pee where children like to play...her friend actually agreed with me but she seemed unphased. So I digress, but obviously there are different opinoins about what is dirty and what is an acceptable way of getting sick.

Strangely though, they also are very quick to prescribe antibiotics for "gan mao", which aren't effective in treating viruses, so that is a contradiction I have not really understood in Chinese health care. Now, there does seem to be some connection with cold weather and colds...I have heard possibly that cold viruses thrive more in cold weather. However, while there is some truth in every culture and I am sure some great things that Chinese medicine can do, I tend to be rather biased toward western medicine.

So why am I talking about "gan mao"? Well, because we are all the victims of it...surely by some germs we contacted along the way (that also may be affected by the changing weather, who knows?). Chris is finally getting near the end...after two full weeks. Austin has been pretty miserable coughing, runny nose and yesterday ran a little fever, though it is gone today. And this morning Bennett has started to get a runny nose...I am guessing he is the next victim. Somehow mommy has not gotten it yet...it always seems like mom is the last to fall. So I am hoping I don't and popping Airborne and vitamins. It is finally getting warmer here- today is quite nice outside. So who knows...maybe our extreme cold and then warm weather has something to do with it after all.

In other news, Bennett rolled over yesterday! Finally, past six months our little "butterball" managed to roll from his stomach to his back. Afterwards he just smiled like he knew he had done something important. With all this sickness we will probably stay home tomorrow (Sunday ) morning...which is also rather convenient as the Heels are playing at 8:45 am our time Sunday morning. GO HEELS :). And wash your hands!