The Truth About Common Colds
October 10, 2007
We have all experienced common colds since we started speaking “Gaa aaa, dada.” The cold virus is highly contagious and can really run havoc in our daily life.
Many people find it difficult to differentiate between flu and common cold. This is because both are respiratory viruses and have similar symptoms. But cold is much milder than flu. Some even get cold in the form of allergy. If it is an allergy then you will be sniffling, have watery eyes but won’t suffer from body pain or feel feverish. It is often hard to tell because people suffering from allergies and asthma are more likely to get colds. They may already have inflamed and irritated lungs and so they are less able to fight off a cold virus.
Best Treatment For Cold:
Studies show that zinc supplements help cut a cold’s severity and duration. While other studies say zinc only acts as a placebo. Vitamin C is said to give maximum benefit. It doesn’t prevent the cold but cuts short the duration of the suffering.To prevent cold, one should have a strong immune system which can be done by eating a well-balanced diet consisting of green leafy vegetables, carrots etc and fresh citrus fruits. Regular exercising boosts the immune system. Strong and healthy people may catch the virus but their recovery will be faster because of the body’s ability to fight of the infection.The best way to handle a cold is to keep drinking fluids so that the body is always hydrated.
Avoid tea, coffee and colas as they contain caffeine which depletes the fluid content in the body. Eat light and simple foods that are easy to digest like clear vegetable soup, carrot and spinach soup. Hot milk with honey and turmeric is the effective Ayurvedic way of managing a cold. Over the counter medicines can offer relief as well. But some doctors no longer believe in suppressing low-grade fever, except in very young and old people or those with certain medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Low grade fever helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of viruses or bacteria and by activating the immune system.
How To Manage A Cold:
Suffering from cold is not serious but you will be miserable for few days. It is a minor infection of the throat, nose and sinuses. The best way to manage it is to stay home and rest. Make sure you cover your face every time you cough and sneeze so that you don’t pass on the virus to the people around you. Home remedies to manage cold.
How To Prevent A Cold:
Wash your hands frequently. Flu and cold viruses are transmitted the same way – through touch. Microscopic droplets from an infected person’s respiratory system may fall on any surface when they sneeze or cough, especially when have not covered their mouth with a tissue. So when a healthy person comes into contact with such surfaces, and then rub their face or eyes, then they are likely to get infected the virus in their system.
There has been no official vaccine to eradicate this cold virus completely. There are over 250 different types of viruses and they mutate as we speak. So with these pointers I hope we call can be aware and can take care of ourselves.
©Nayna Chakrabarty, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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