Shows  Rural Lifestyle Shows  Rural Health Matters

Rural Health Matters: When Winter Colds Just Won’t Go Away

University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses lingering winter illnesses, shares strategies to boost immunity, and advises rural communities on when to seek medical care on Rural Health Matters.

February 25, 2026 03:12 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Winter sunrise under a red sky

dzmitrock87 - stock.adobe.com

LINCOLN, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — As winter illnesses linger across rural communities, many are finding it hard to shake persistent coughs, fatigue, and other lingering symptoms. Understanding when a common cold becomes more serious can be critical for maintaining health during these months.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined us for this week’s Rural Health Matters segment to provide guidance on managing lingering winter illnesses.

In his conversation with RFD NEWS, Dr. Gold explained why some colds or respiratory infections seem to linger, whether repeated sickness is due to back-to-back infections or temporary immune suppression, and the warning signs that should prompt a call to a healthcare provider. He also offered practical tips for recovery, ways to support the immune system, and advice on when to seek further medical care if symptoms persist.

Finally, Dr. Gold emphasized the importance of proactive health measures during the winter season to help rural residents stay strong and healthy.

Related Stories
gqwEkvED.jpg
Markets
‘Neutral’ January Cattle-on-Feed Report Shifts Market Focus to Weather, Trade Uncertainty
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
January 27, 2026 12:19 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
5xSARRBC.jpg
FFA Today
FFA Today: This All-Star FFA Alum Took StockShowAuctions.com from SAE to RFD!
Auction manager and West Texas A&M University student Presley Graves joined us to discuss the growth of StockShowAuctions.com and its impact on youth in agriculture.
January 27, 2026 06:00 AM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
wGIJoVA1.jpg
Weather News
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Texas
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
January 26, 2026 04:30 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
lDknpfxb.jpg
Weather News
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Tennessee
Mike Knotts with the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association joined us with the latest on storm impacts, power restoration, and safety considerations following the ice storm.
January 26, 2026 04:00 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
winter weather outlook 1280.jpg
Weather News
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Midwest
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
January 26, 2026 03:30 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
2026BrandGuidep42-CombineInBrownField_getty-images-bJ9v3lHBcLQ-unsplash_1920x1080.jpg
Washington Policy
Farm Aid Debate Exposes Gap Between Payments Losses
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
January 26, 2026 02:30 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Load More

Health Winter Weather Ag Education & Resources
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

98SRxIgW.jpg
Twisted Skillet
Twisted Skillet’s Street Corn Dip (Elote-Style)
Texas cowboy chef and host of RFD Network’s Twisted Skillet, Sean Koehler, shares an elote-style street corn dip just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. This skillet-cooked corn dish combines open-fire cooking and bold regional flavors for a delicious twist on Mexican Street Corn.
February 06, 2026 04:50 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
N3B7BGNC.jpg
Markets
WASDE Preview: Farmer Sentiment Slide, Biofuel Groups Sound Alarm Ahead of February Supply and Demand Report
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
February 06, 2026 04:18 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
cyndToFx.jpg
San Angelo Stock Show
WATCH: San Angelo Stock Show Kicks Off Saturday — Stream it LIVE on RFD+
San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association’s Trenton Priddy preview this year’s event, which is now streaming on RFD+
February 06, 2026 03:55 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
P4LQXiQF.jpg
World News
European Union Looks to Ease Restrictions on Gene-Edited Crops
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
February 06, 2026 12:36 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
hGhGRSIK.jpg
Business
AFBF: USDA Slashes 2025 Farm Income Outlook, Sets Baseline for ‘Significant Pressure’ into 2026
Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau joined us to discuss USDA’s latest farm income forecast, revisions to prior estimates, and what the updated data means for farmers heading into 2026.
February 06, 2026 12:27 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
0JzFliGl.jpg
Livestock
CattleCon 2026 Wraps with Urgent Plea from Kennedy, New Drug to Fight Screwworm
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
February 06, 2026 11:48 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More
More Shows
CommodityWrap-Tony-Scott-Logo_1920x1080.jpg
Commodity Talk
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
April 14, 2026 05:03 PM
mdr weekend_eliza_1920x1080.jpg
Market Day Report Weekend
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
April 14, 2026 04:46 PM
GriddleNation_1920x1080_03_Key Art.jpg
Griddle Nation
Griddle Nation is a celebration of griddle-loving home cooks across the nation.
April 09, 2026 10:20 AM
prairie prophets-share-image_logo.jpg
Prairie Prophets
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
April 06, 2026 02:46 PM
Energy
RFD News coverage of energy and fuel markets, including Brent crude oil, diesel, solar, wind, geothermal, and electrical power, and the latest policy updates on biofuel and ethanol.
March 25, 2026 11:35 AM
Rodeo Austin - large Charolaise bull in a country show
Rodeo Austin Livestock Show
Each spring, Rodeo Austin welcomes junior livestock exhibitors and horse show exhibitors to the annual Fair and Rodeo typically held in March. On average more than 9,000 exhibitors compete to enhance their agricultural education. Rodeo Austin is proud to provide these opportunities for youth to succeed.
March 03, 2026 12:36 PM
Untitled design - 1
Stock Shows
It’s one of our favorite times of the year – Winter Stock Show Season! And to celebrate the hard work of the future of agriculture, we’re streaming live from some of the biggest livestock shows in Texas.
February 05, 2026 10:55 AM
Untitled design - 1
San Antonio Stock Show
Through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, calf scramble program and show premiums, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts over 22,000 youth in Texas annually.
January 27, 2026 04:17 PM
Untitled design - 1
San Angelo Stock Show
Dedicated to preserving the western way of life and promoting agricultural education to the Youth of Texas, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association works year round to continue to bring top notch events to the West Texas Area.
January 27, 2026 04:09 PM
TwistedSkillet_SeanWithGrill-Smiling_1920x1080.jpg
Twisted Skillet
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.
January 19, 2026 10:25 AM