Fighting the Common Cold: What you need to know

Monday, December 28th, 2009

My throat is raw. I want to sleep to stop this burden. My throat is raw. I need to release the burden.

Yes, I was attacked by the virus and today I am pissed by the signs. 

I have a viral upper respiratory tract infection.

Darn you, Common Cold.

Upper respiratory tract infection or the common cold is a very “common” phenomena indeed for all people across the globe. This is actually the most common acute illness for outpatients in hospitals.  URI or Upper Respiratory tract infection can range from the simple common cold to the deadly pneumonia or epiglottitis.

 Today Im lucky to have the simple type of URI. Common cold is a mild and self limiting acute illness of the nasopharynx. This means that the mucous membranes of the nose and throat are inflamed due to the invasion of cold viruses, and that the body can heal itself if given due time. Viruses that cause common cold include: rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus.

When you have a cold, you will experience some or all of these symptoms: frequent sneezing,  runny nose, scratchy and sore throat, cough, horse voice, and nasal obstruction.

 

Other associated symptoms include mild fever, fatigue and general weakness. Sometimes malaise does occur. Headaches however are rare for URIs.

The duration of a cold can vary. Colds usually last for a week, for mild types it disappears after 2 to 3 days. However, severe colds due to other environmental stresses and pressures may last up to 2 weeks. If you are experiencing cold symptoms for more than 2 weeks, consult a doctor right away.

 

 If you got the cough without other symptoms, you can relieve the distress by:

1. Rest
2. Drink lots of fluids. Coconut water, Lemon Juice with honey or warm water will really help reduce stress on your throat.
3. Take zinc lozenges, they are especially effective with cough.
4. Cough into a pillow to lessen the blow of muscle tissues
5. Take 500mg Vitamin C every 4 hours and cod liver oil every 8 hours to help your body fight against the infection.

 

For the common cold, intervention include:

1. Take decongestants to clear your nasal pathway.
2. Cough lozenges
3. Vaporizer or humidifier or steamer for dry cough
4. Try searching for alternative methods such as botanical and naturopathy medicines.
5. Drink lots and lots of fluid
6. Make saltwater nose drops by for nasal irritation and build up. 1 tbsp salt with 1 tbsp baking soda added to 2 cups of water yields a lot of nosedrops.
7. Take  1000mg Vitamin C.
8. Concoct a garlic cough syrup. Garlic contains the active ingredient guaifenesin which is an expectorant.
9. Drink warm Herbal tea every hour

 

Common cold caused by viruses have no cure in itself, but it is self limiting so it will just go away in a week’s time. 

So we just have to be patient and make the most of our time even though we got colds.