What is Common Cold?
Winters are here and this pleasant weather comes with some diseases including most troublesome Cold. My 5 year old son often fall sick in this weath...
Winters are here and this pleasant weather comes with some diseases including most troublesome Cold. My 5 year old son often fall sick in this weather and complaints about runny nose or nasal congestion, thanks to some or many kids having cold. Let’s take a crack at this troublesome disease which is annoying especially for children and elderly people.
A Cold or Common Cold is the viral disease which infects the upper respiratory system. Common Cold can be identified by symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough and headache. As this spreads via virus, people who are used to get in contact with more people are highly likely to suffer from this infection. The common cold is mainly caused by virus named coronaviruses or rhinoviruses.
What causes Common Cold?
Hundreds of viruses are responsible for common cold, but more than 50% of cold cases are because of rhinoviruses. Apart from rhinoviruses, other viruses like Human parainfluenza virus, Metapneumo virus, Coronavriuses adenovirus, Human respiratory syncytial virus, and Enteroviruses are responsible for infection of Common Cold.
Once human body is infected with these viruses, the first line of defense gets damaged that is the immune system and makes human body prone to get infected with virus, bacteria and dust particles.
Signs and Symptoms
- Sore Throat
- Nasal Congestion
- Runny Nose
- Headache or Body ache
- Drowsiness
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Dry Throat
- Blocked throat creates difficulties in speaking
- Pain in throat, creates problems in swallowing
- Mild to Moderate Fever
- Feeling of being unwell
Preventive Measures
- Stay away from Crowds, there are higher chances of catching infection in crowded places
- Keep yourself away from people infected with cold and cough
- Keep the living area well ventilated and keep the fresh air come in, this will keep the living area bacteria free
- Take care of hygiene, wash and sanitize your hands frequently
- Don’t touch your nose or face, and don’t bite your nails
- Eat lot’s of fruits and green leafy vegetables
- Block your face and nose with tissue when you sneeze
Treatment for Common Cold
- Consult your doctor and get prescribed medication with complementing foods
- Drink plenty of water
- Use inhaler and nasal drops for nasal congestion
- Don’t drink chilled or cold drinks, prefer drinking warm and hot drinks
- Take proper rest and enough sleep
- Take hot water bath
- Take aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve headache or fever
Stay protected from common cold this winter season and in fact every season for entire year. Keep observing symptoms and signs of common cold and take all preventive measure to keep yourself protected from Common Cold.
