\n
The approaching winter brings not only \u00ab<\/strong>\u0445\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> [cold weather], but unavoidable \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [cold].<\/p>\n Everyone around you is sick. \u00ab<\/strong>\u041a\u0430\u043a <\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u043b\u0430<\/span>? <\/strong>\u0427\u0442\u043e \u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u0435\u043d\u044c\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e?\u00bb<\/strong> [How\u2019s life? What\u2019s new?] you ask and a friend replies \u00ab\u0412\u0441\u0451 \u043f\u043e \u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u043d\u044c\u043a\u043e\u043c\u0443, \u0432\u043e\u0442 \u0442\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u043a\u043e \u044f, \u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u0442\u0441\u044f, \u0437\u0430\u0431\u043e\u043b\u0435\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u00bb<\/strong> [Things are as usual, but I think I\u2019m coming down with something].<\/p>\n A passerby, rushing past you, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043b\u044f\u0435\u0442, <\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u044f <\/strong>\u0440\u043e\u0442 <\/strong>\u0440\u0443\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [coughs, covering his mouth with his hand]. Another one \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u043a\u043e <\/strong>\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0440\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0435\u0442\u0441\u044f <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0441\u043e\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043b\u0430\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [blows his nose loudly into a handkerchief]. \u00ab\u0423 \u043d\u0435\u0433\u043e<\/span> \u043d\u0430<\/span>\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0440\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [He\u2019s got runny nose].<\/p>\n Then a friend calls to cancel a long-planned \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0432\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [girls\u2019 night] and you don\u2019t recognize her \u00ab<\/strong>\u0445\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043b\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [hoarse] voice. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0423 <\/strong>\u043c\u0435\u043d\u044f<\/span> <\/strong>\u0441\u0430\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u043b\u043e <\/strong>\u0431\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [I have a sore throat myself] say you and jokingly remark that it\u2019s safe for the two of you to hang out since \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0430 <\/strong>\u043a <\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0437\u0435 <\/strong>\u043d\u0435 <\/strong>\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043f\u043d\u0435\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [lit: contagion doesn\u2019t stick to contagion]. But you\u2019re only half-earnest since you \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u043e <\/strong>\u0441\u0435\u0431\u044f<\/span> <\/strong>\u0447\u0443<\/span>\u0432\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [don\u2019t feel so good] – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u043e\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0442 <\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [head hurts] and you\u2019ve got \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0435\u043c\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0430\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0440\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [temperature, implication -mild fever]. You just hope it doesn\u2019t turn into \u00ab<\/strong>\u0436\u0430\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [fever].<\/p>\n Russian terms for seasonal illnesses can be very confusing. In addition to \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [cold], one might have \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0440\u0438\u043f\u043f\u00bb<\/strong> [flu]. If your main symptom is sore throat, then you\u2019re likely to have \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043d\u0433\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> which is not angina, but tonsillitis. However, if you have a bad chest-cold, you\u2019re most likely to be diagnosed with \u00ab<\/strong>\u041e\u0420\u0417\u00bb<\/strong> that stands for \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e<\/span><\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0440\u0435\u0441\u043f\u0438\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u043e\u0440\u043d\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0431\u043e\u043b\u0435\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [acute respiratory ailment].<\/p>\n Of course, the exact diagnosis is something best left to \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0440\u0430\u0447\u00bb<\/strong> [doctor] or rather \u00ab<\/strong>\u0443\u0447\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0432\u0440\u0430\u0447\u00bb<\/strong>, a doctor at a local \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u043b\u0438\u043a\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [policlinic, outpatient clinic] responsible for a particular district.<\/p>\n But if the symptoms are mild, who needs a doctor. \u00ab<\/strong>\u0421\u0430\u043c\u043e\u043b\u0435\u0447\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [self-treatment] is pretty popular in Russia (as it is in the US, but probably for different reasons). Here we have two choices – stop by \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043f\u0442\u0435<\/span>\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [pharmacy] to pick up some \u00ab<\/strong>\u0431\u0435\u0437\u0440\u0435\u0446\u0435\u043f\u0442\u0443<\/span>\u0440\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [over-the-counter drugs] or to rely on \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u043d\u044b\u0435 <\/strong>\u0441\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [folk remedies] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0434\u0438\u0446\u0438\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u043d\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043c\u0435\u0434\u0438\u0446\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [alternative medicine].<\/p>\n The OTC drugs are the same the world over, I suppose. Aspirin is available in Russia and is called \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u0441\u043f\u0438\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u00bb.<\/strong> \u00a0And you probably won\u2019t need a dictionary to understand what \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043d\u0430\u043b\u044c\u0433\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> is for – a generic name for analgesics.<\/p>\n Folk remedies are much more interesting and unheard-of outside of Russia. You start with \u00ab<\/strong>\u0442\u0451<\/span>\u043f\u043b\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u043b\u043e\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [warm milk], but add \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [baking soda] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0451\u0434\u00bb<\/strong> [honey] to it. Next, if your throat still bothers you, start gargling with warm \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u043b\u044f\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [brine, salty water] or with \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e<\/span>\u0439 <\/strong>\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0430<\/span>\u0448\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> [chamomile infusion]. To clear up stuffed nose, don\u2019t forget \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u043d\u0433\u0430\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u0446\u0438\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [inhalations] over a basin of hot water with garlic, sage and more chamomile. Now, this actually feels good, kind of like a day at a spa.<\/p>\n The next part is a lot less pleasant – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u043f\u0430\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0441\u00bb<\/strong> [putting drops in your nose]. If you are sticking to the home remedies, the drops would be home-made, using juice of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [aloe plant], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u0443\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [onion] or \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0451<\/span>\u043a\u043b\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [beetroot].<\/p>\n Here in the US we reach for orange juice at the first signs of a possible cold. However, Russia, with its cold climate is not the land of \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043f\u0435\u043b\u044c\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u044b\u00bb<\/strong> [oranges]. But \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u0443\u043a <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [onion and garlic] grow well. So forget orange juice and reach for a big onion instead. Grate it, mix with honey and sugar, cook for a few minutes on low heat just \u2018til the smell gets really intense. Now make sure to swallow 1 teaspoon of this mixture every hour on the hour until you feel better.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re chilly or hot, don\u2019t forget to put on warm socks. After all, as every Russian knows \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0435\u0440\u0436\u0438<\/span> <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0443 <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0445\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0435, <\/strong>\u0436\u0438\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u0442 <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0433\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0435, <\/strong>\u0430 <\/strong>\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0433\u0438 – <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u0442\u0435\u043f\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> [keep your head cold, your stomach empty, but your feet warm]. Besides, socks are where you sprinkle some dry \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0448\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [ground mustard] into your socks for added warming effect.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to make tea with even more honey, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u044f<\/span>\u0442\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [mint], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0448\u0430\u043b\u0444\u0435<\/span>\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [sage], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u043d\u0438<\/span>\u0441\u00bb<\/strong> [aniseed] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u0432\u043e\u0437\u0434\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [whole cloves]. Spread a thick layer of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0435 <\/strong>\u0432\u0430\u0440\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u044c\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [raspberry jam] on dark Russian bread. That is, if you don\u2019t feel like having some \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u044f<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u043a\u0443\u0440\u0438<\/span>\u043d\u044b\u0439 <\/strong>\u0431\u0443\u043b\u044c\u043e<\/span>\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> [hot chicken broth].<\/p>\n Then put a slightly wet \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0447\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u043d\u0438\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [mustard plaster] on your back and calves, rub your chest with \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u0433\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u044e\u0449\u0430\u044f <\/strong>\u043c\u0430\u0437\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [heat rub], and try to get as much rest as possible since \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043e\u043d – <\/strong>\u043b\u0443<\/span>\u0447\u0448\u0435\u0435 <\/strong>\u043b\u0435\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u0440\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [sleep is the best cure].<\/p>\n If such as aggressive regiment fails to restore you to good health in the morning or if you feel exhausted by following it or if you smell too strongly of onion and garlic, in short if you need a day off, stop by your \u00ab<\/strong>