A common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat. It can be caused by different types of viruses. The condition is generally harmless and symptoms usually resolve within two weeks.
Common cold spreads easily, usually self-treatable, usually self-diagnosed, lab tests or imaging are not required.
Symptoms
- Watery eyes
- Headache
- Coughing
- Sore throats
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chest discomfort
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue or general tiredness
- low- grade fever
- Difficult breathing deeply
- Loss of smell
- Congestion
- Throat irritation
Causes
Viruses, often cold rhinoviruses, can spread from person to person or surface to person. A virus can live on a surface for serval days. If a person with a virus touched a surface, people who touch the same surface for serval days afterward may pick up the virus.
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Having the virus on your skin does not mean you will get sick, but when it spreads to your eyes, nose, or mouth, you will get infected.
Risk factors
Conditions that increase your risk of contracting a cold include:-
- Time of the year: cold can occur at any time of the year, but they are common in the fall and winter.
- Compromised immune system: if you have a chronic illness or have been sick recently, you may be more likely to pick up a cold virus.
- Age: children under the age of six are more likely to develop cold their risk factors are higher if they are in the daycare or childcare setting with other kids.
- Environment: if you are around a lot of people, you are likely to encounter rhinoviruses.
- Smoking: people who smoke have an increased risk of catching a cold, their cold also tends to be more when they have them.
Prevention
Colds are very minor, but they are inconvenient. One cannot get a vaccine to prevent cold, but one can do a few key things during the cold season to help avoid picking up the virus.
- Washing your hands regularly with disinfectant soap and water is the best way to stop the spread of germs. Only use antibacterial gels and spray as a last resort when you cannot get to a sink.
- Avoid sick people: sick people should not come to school, work, or public places. It is very easy to spread germs in tight quarters like offices or classrooms.
- Cover your cough: cover your cough with a tissue or cough and sneeze into your elbow so that you do not spread germs into your environment.
- Take care of your gut: Eat plenty of bacteria-rich food like yogurt or take a daily probiotic supplement, keeping your gut bacteria environment healthy can help your overall health.
Diet for cold
Hot tea: warm drinks like tea are great for cold, add honey for a cough busting boost. Slice of ginger can help reduce inflammation and ease congestion.
Yogurt: it contains billions of healthy bacteria that can boost your gut’s health. Having a healthy microbiome in your guts can help your body fight any number of illnesses and conditions including a cold.
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Popsicle: it helps numb and ease the pains of a sore throat, look for low sugar varieties, or make your own smoothies pop yogurt, fruit, and natural juice.
In conclusion, stay hydrated when you have a cold is very vital. Drinking water or warm tea frequently is very good.
It is advisable to keep a social distance from sick people during cold and be sure to wash your hands after coming into contact with them.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol totally while recovering from a cold because they both can make symptoms worse.
By: Peace Chigozie
