Common Cold | Viral Infection | How to Treat and More

The common cold is generally a viral infection which mainly affects your nose and throat particularly in the upper respiratory tract. Usually cold is harmless even though it troubles you more. Generally, common colds are caused by various types of viruses.

People like healthy adults can expect to have two or three times a cold each year. Particularly infants and young kids might have more frequent colds.

Most of the people with colds can recover from a week or 10 days after exposure to a cold causing virus. People who smoke, symptoms might last longer. Generally, people who are affected with a common cold don't need medical attention for it. You must see your doctor, if the symptoms don’t improve naturally or if they get worse symptoms.

Symptoms

Usually, symptoms of a common cold will appear one to three days after the exposure of a cold causing virus. Typically, signs of common cold  can vary from person to person which includes:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Congestion

• Slight body aches or a mild headache

• Sneezing

• Low-grade fever

• Generally feeling unwell

The discharge called mucus from your nose may start out very clear and become thicker as yellow or green colour. This action does not mean that you have a bacterial infection.

Causes

Usually, many types of viruses can cause a common cold, the most common cause of common cold id rhinoviruses.

Generally, cold viruses enter your body through your mouth, eyes or nose. Usually, viruses can spread through air droplets when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or else through talks.

Cold-causing viruses are also spread through handy direct contact with someone who are affected with a common cold or else by sharing cold-causing virus affected objects like eating utensils, personal towels, kids toys or telephones. After such contact with a sick person, if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth you are most likely to get a cold.

Risk factors

Below factors will increase the chances of getting cold:

• Age. Infants and young children are at the high risk of getting cold particularly if they spend more time in child care areas.

• Weakened immune system. People who have a chronic illness or otherwise if they have weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

• Time of year. Both children and adults have a high chance of getting cold in fall and winter seasons but you can get cold at any time. 

• Smoking. People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold easily and to have more-severe colds especially if you smoke or are around secondhand smoke.

• Exposure. If you visit crowded areas like at school or an aeroplane, then they must be exposed to cold-causing viruses which usually cause colds.

Complications

Below health conditions can happen along with your cold:

• Acute ear infection (otitis media). This infection occurs when bacteria or viruses enter your body through the space behind the eardrum. General signs and symptoms of ear infection which includes ear aches or the return of a fever which follows a common cold.

• Asthma. Usually, a cold can trigger wheezing even if you don’t have an asthma issue. If you are affected with asthma, a cold can make it more worse.

• Acute sinusitis.  Especially in adults or children, a common cold does not resolve which can lead to swelling and inflammation and infection of the sinuses.

• Other infections. Generally, common colds can lead to other infections which include strep throat, pneumonia, and croup or bronchiolitis in children. These virus infections need immediately to be treated by a doctor.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider won’t be able to find which virus causes the illness, but they can check your child’s throat and ears and also take a throat culture to ensure that symptoms are not from other health problems which may need treatment. If signs and symptoms get worse instead of recovery after 3 days or the health problems could be strep throat, sinusitis, pneumonia, or bronchitis, particularly if your child smokes.

If signs and symptoms last for more than a week which may appear at the same time every year or if it happens when your child is around pollen, dust, or animals, an allergy could be to blame for it. Kids who are facing breathing issues or wheeze when they catch a cold could have asthma.

Treatment

There is no more cure for a cold, but treatment will help you to ease symptoms:

Here are few tips:

• You should drink plenty of fluids which prevents dehydration.

• You should get plenty of rest.

• You should use counter medications to manage pain and discomfort.

• Try to Inhale steam, which may help you to relieve nasal congestion.

• You should gargle saltwater for a sore throat.

People will use different types of natural remedies for colds. Some people drink warm lemon and honey which may provide relief. However not all of them have scientific proven evidence which confirms that they are useful.

Prevention

Till now, there is no vaccination or medications which protect against the common cold. But you might be able to reduce your risk of getting or spreading a cold by following prevention tips:

• You should wash your hands more often with the use of soap and water for at least up to 20 seconds.

• You must Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with their unclean hands.

• You should strictly avoid having close contact like kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and sharing eating utensils, with others particularly if you are sick or they are sick.

• You must Clean and disinfect the surfaces which you frequently touch.

• You should Cover while you  cough and sneeze with a tissue. Then you must throw away the tissue and wash your hands.

• You should stay home when you are sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long do colds last?

Ans: There's no cure for a common cold, but it usually goes away within a week to 10 days.

Q2. How to sleep with a cold?

Ans: Try sleeping on your side, and prop up your pillows so you're sleeping at a slight angle to help prevent congestion from disrupting your sleep.

Q3. Can Tulsi cure cough?

Ans: Tulsi has cough relieving properties. It helps soothe the airways by helping you cough out the sticky mucus.

Q4. Which fruit is good in cough?

Ans: A freshly squeezed lemon with warm water or tea can help you soothe your sore throat and cough. 

Q5. Can we have curd during cold?

Ans: Curd is a perfect food or dessert to be consumed during winters as it contains probiotic and vitamins helpful in improving the immune system irrespective of any season.