IRON RESERVES IN FEMALE BODY AND WOMENS S USCEPTIBILITY TO CATCHING COLD

Levels of temporary invalidity because of catching cold were analyzed in 101 working women over two years and these women's levels of serum iron, total iron-binding capacity of the serum, transferrin saturation with iron, serum ferritin, and red cell ferritin measured. Women with stable iron reserves in the body virtually have no sick leaves becaus e of catching cold, whereas in those with iron deficiency susceptibili ty to catching cold is increased, and if iron metabolism intensity in the body grows, invalidity periods are much longer. Normalization of n ot only iron reserves in the body, but correction of iron metabolism a s well should be regarded as a factor exerting a favorable effect on b ody resistance to catching cold.