Season change, viral infection, bacterial infection, or transmission, any of these can cause Common Cold. And we end up with a running nose, headache, body ache, etc. To treat cold, we need to identify causes.
Most people get infected by viruses or microbes. If any person is sneezing or coughing near you, there is a chance you catch a cold. And there is no permanent vaccination for the common cold. A doctor diagnoses a common cold through X-Ray, nasal fluids, or symptoms. Children are more prone to catch a common cold than an adult. In addition, children get six to seven colds. And an adult gets two to three colds in a year.
Symptoms of Common Cold
Common cold symptoms start symptoms within 2-3 days and stay up to three weeks. And those symptoms affect the nose most of the time. The symptoms included:
- Runny Nose
- Scratchy Throat
- Sneezing
- Nasal Congestion
- Cough
- Fever
- Watery Eyes
- Mucus dripping down the throat
- Headache
- Body ache
Infecting viruses and bacteria first infect the nose and sinuses. Then nose makes mucus to wash viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2-3 days the mucus turns white, yellow, or green. The symptoms like a running nose and a stuffy nose may stay for 14 days.
Causes of Common Cold
200 different viruses cause cold. But rhinovirus is the most common reason. You may be on a bus, at school, office, or at any public gathering, sneezing or coughing is enough to spread the common cold.
Adults can also be affected by a child’s cold or vice-versa.
You can get common cold from
- If any person affected by cold sneezes coughs, or blows nose near you.
- If you touch the contaminated place and touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
When do you seek a doctor?
Cold and flu have similar symptoms. So you may get confused diagnose it on your own. Visit a doctor if:
- Your fever lasts longer than 4 days.
- If your symptoms last for more than 10 days without improving.
- Difficulty in breathing
- Dehydration
- High fever
These symptoms are not enough. You may seek medical help if you feel a concerning or severe situation.
Some Ways to feel better in Common Cold
- Intake enough fluid because it helps improve the immune system.
- Sipping hot tea or soup may relieve you. Important to note, antibiotics will not help you if you get a cold.
- Adjust Room temperature and humidity to feel relieved. Do not over warm your room. Keep it warm. Try to balance humidity so that it will help ease coughing.
- Gargle with warm salt water to soothe your sore throat. Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in 120-250 ml of warm water.
- Take enough rest. Also, it will be good for you and your surrounded people if you stay at home because you can infect others.
Important things to remember
- Clean your hands frequently. Hence you will prevent infections.
- Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing.
- Avoid touching nose, mouth, or eyes with unclean hands.
- Do not get closed to the person who has a respiratory tract infection.
- Avoid active and passive smoking.
