HOW YOU CAN PREVENT YOURSELF FROM COMMON COLD

The common cold is a viral infection of upper respiratory tract involving nose and throat. Though it is considered harmless it affects more than 10 million cases per year in India and 1 billion in the USA annually.

SYMPTOMS

Person usually recovers in seven to ten days, but some symptoms may last up to three weeks. The duration or severity of symptoms can vary from person to person depending on immunity or other factors like smoking or person having weak immunity such as children, elders, pregnant, nursing mothers or having other health problems especially those affecting respiratory system.

The symptoms may include;

·  Runny (watery, thicker and yellow or green discharge) or

    stuffy nose

·  Sneezing

·  Sore throat

·  Cough

·  Body ache or headache

·  Low-grade fever (below 100.4⁰ F)

·   Malaise (feeling unwell)

Seek doctor immediately if your child has Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks Fever lasting more than two days or rising fever in a child of any age Shortness of breath Wheezing in chest Severe pain in head or sinus (face, cheeks) Severe cough Ear pain Drowsiness Decreased appetite

Seek doctor immediately if you have Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C) Fever lasting five days or more or returning after a fever-free period Shortness of breath Wheezing in chest Severe pain in head or sinus (face, cheeks) Severe cough

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

Many types of viruses can cause common cold; rhinovirus is the most common culprit. There are many factors which cause the virus to transmit when you

• cough or sneeze (airborne respiratory droplets).

• handshake or hug (skin-to-skin contact).

• kiss or share drinks (saliva).

• touch a contaminated surface.

These factors can increase chances of getting a cold:

• Children younger than six and elder people are at greatest risk of colds.

• Weakened immunity from chronic illness or otherwise increases risk.

• People are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter, but can get cold any season.

• One who smokes is more likely to catch a cold and to have more severe colds.

• People living or working in overcrowded places such as at school or at railway station especially where sunlight is improper have greater chance of catching cold.

HOW TO PREVENT CATCHING OR SPREADING COLD

· Wash hands. Wash hands with water and soap. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. · Do not share. Do not share towels or household items (like cups) with someone who has a cold · Use tissue. Advise the person who has cold, to use handkerchief while coughing or sneezing ·  Stay healthy. Stay healthy by eating healthy food, having enough sleep and doing regular exercise. · Sterilize items touched. Sterilize the items you touched or used while having cold.

COMPLICATIONS

If you get repeated common cold you have higher chance of getting any of the following complications:

1. Acute Bronchitis. This is condition where the bronchi (small tubes) in the lungs are (infected) as a result of either a bacterial or viral infection.

2. Pneumonia. This occurs when the lungs are inflamed due to the fluid-filled alveoli (tiny air sacs).

3.  Acute Sinusitis. This occurs when the sinuses infected.

MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT

Do you know  Antibiotics can’t help you much in colds

• Rest. If you have fever or severe symptoms.

• Hydrate. Hydrate yourself with plenty of fluids.

• Clear respiratory passage from phlegm. By simple water steam inhalation.

• Decongestant nasal sprays. Children younger than six shouldn't use decongestant drops or sprays. Adults can use decongestant drops or sprays but in limit. Prolonged use has no benefit over medicine.

• Vitamin C. By adding Vitamin C in diet you can keep cold at bay.

• Cough syrups. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against giving cough and cold medicines (antitussive) to children younger than age 4.

• Seek doctor. Ask doctor if symptoms are severe.

HOMEOPATHY CAN HELP YOU

 

 NOTE:  The list is exhausting. You need to consult a registered homeopathic physician to get best suited medicine for you.  

Request an appointment at

KK’s Homeopathy Wellness Center

(homeopathywellnesscenter@gmail.com)

~WE CARE HE CURES~