Information about of Common Cold
We Have to Know about the Common Cold
- Colds are short-lived viral infections of the nasal cavity
Causes of Common Cold
- It is an airborne infection. It spreads from person to person directly by sneezing and coughing or indirectly by contaminated fingers, towels, bed sheets, and handkerchiefs etc.
Do’s of Common Cold
- Wash your hands often after you come in contact with contaminated objects (contaminated fingers, towels, bed sheets and handkerchiefs)
Don’ts of Common Cold
- When you have a cold, avoid sneezing and coughing in public or cover your nose & mouth with handkerchief or piece of cloth
Signs & Symptoms of Common Cold
- Sneezing, running nose, nasal obstruction, feeling of unwell and feverishness
- A headache, tiredness and body pains
- Cold starts with the watery secretions and later thicken and may become yellow or green in color due to secondary infection
Medical advice for Common Cold
- A persistent nasal discharge with a bloodstain, associated with ear pain and/or ear discharge
- Throat pain that lasts longer than one week
- In children below 5 years – a cough, noisy breathing and shortness of breath
- An infant(less than 1year) with a severe fever more than 100°F
Risk factors of Common Cold
- Low standard of personal hygiene and living conditions (overcrowding, ill-ventilated housing) are contributory factors
- Low vitality, exposure to cold, sudden changes in temperature, exposure to dust, and other irritating inhalations are important contributory factors
Self-care for Common Cold
- Drink lots of fluids
- Gargle with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt
Other Advice
Home Remedies
Common Cold treatment using Lemon
- Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness
- Two teaspoonfuls of lemon juice in a glass of warm water, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of honey/sugar added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily
Common Cold treatment using Tamarind and Pepper.
- Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold
- Boil tamarind (size of a lemon) in 250 ml of water for 10 minutes and add a half a teaspoon of black pepper powder and salt to taste
- Hot steam inhalation
