10:55 AM
Tuesday 20 October 2020
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The common cold affects millions every year. It can strike at any time, but most people get sick during winter and spring.
The common cold viruses target the upper respiratory tract and cause symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing.
There is no vaccine for cold viruses, but there are steps that can be taken to speed up the healing process and prevent illness in the future.
It usually resolves the cold on its own without visiting a doctor. However, it can be difficult to distinguish the common cold from other more serious diseases such as influenza or “Covid-19”.
Here is what you need to know about cold symptoms and treatment, as well as how to determine if your illness is more serious and you should seek medical help.
Symptoms
Symptoms will appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to the infection. After that, the first days often show the most severe symptoms. You will likely encounter a combination of the following:
-body aches
-Congestion
Cough
Headache
Loss of the sense of smell and taste
-Runny nose
Sneezing
-Sore throat
The diagnosis
The common cold can be very similar to other viral infections including influenza and “Covid-19” because they all affect the upper respiratory system. However, there are a few ways to determine if you have a cold, allergy, or something else.
You can begin to determine what type of disease you have by examining your symptoms, without forgetting that there are always exceptions to the rule. For example, fever is a common symptom of the “Covid-19” flu, but it is not a symptom of the common cold. But there is a possibility of catching “Covid-19” also without fever. In general, a fever should be treated as a possible sign of a more serious illness.
After confirming the symptoms, the time of year may also be a useful indicator.
Colds are more common during the winter and spring months. You can also catch a cold in the summer, but the symptoms are usually different.
Flu season usually begins in October and ends in February.
Allergy season is most intense in the first week of May, but people can develop allergies during the spring, summer, and fall.
Keep track of the duration of your illness
Don’t forget to keep track of how long you felt sick, as common colds usually last 7 to 10 days in adults and children.
The flu lasts about 7 to 14 days. Seasonal allergies can last from several weeks to months, or as long as you are exposed to an allergen.
treatment
If you discover that your infection is not a cold, seek appropriate treatment whether it is to control allergies or fight the flu.
And if it is related to the cold, there are many treatments available that will help some to speed up recovery, or that only relieve symptoms in others.
Here are common cold remedies that work:
Drink a lot of fluids.
Focus on eating healthy foods, especially rich in vitamins C, A, E, B6 and D and minerals such as zinc and iron.
Take nutritional supplements that contain immune-boosting vitamins and minerals
Get enough sleep.
Adults can take antihistamines or decongestants for relief. Children under the age of two should not be given any cough medicine.
Adults can try steam therapy to relieve congestion.
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