Common Cold : Causes, Symptoms Treatments & Remedies

Common Cold

What Is Common Cold?

Common cold is a condition in which viruses attack the upper respiratory tract and affect the nose, throat, and sinuses. Most common during the winter season and during the monsoons, common cold has affected almost all of us atleast once or maybe more than that in our life. The change of seasons also witnesses spikes in the cases of common cold.

What Triggers The Common Cold?

Common cold is a viral infection caused by Rhinovirus.
It is contagious in nature and is spread from an infected person’s secretions or sneezing and coughing.
Getting wet in the rain does not mean you will suffer from a cold, but it surely makes you vulnerable to it.
Poor immunity, extreme tiredness and allergies can act as triggering factors.

How Would You Know If You Have Cold?

Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, itching, blocked nose and fever.
It may be accompanied by sore throat, cough, body aches, muscle pains and watering of eyes.
Most of the symptoms are however mild and self-limiting and resolve within 3-5 days.

What Should You Do In case Your Cold Worsens?

Sometimes a common clod may get worsened by a bacterial infection making your symptoms worse.
Symptoms include high grade fever, chills, blocked sinuses, pain while swallowing and sore throat.
In such cases, you will need to consult your doctor who will recommend certain investigations to determine the causative agent and start antibiotics accordingly.

What Are The Available Treatment Options?

Typically, common cold resolves in a week’s time with adequate rest and general lifestyle modifications.
There are no antiviral medications for common cold.
Stay warm and take proper rest.
Stay well hydrated by drinking 2-3 liters of fluids.
Have foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, kiwis, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, lemons. They will boost your immunity and help in faster recovery.
You can try over the counter nasal decongestants and paracetamol for instant relief.
Try steam inhalation for relief from blocked sinuses.
Keep sipping hot beverages like lemon tea, ginger tea and green tea to ease your symptoms.

Are There Any Natural Remedies For Common Cold?

Since there is no specific treatment for common cold, you can try these effective natural remedies to ease your symptoms and to speed up your recovery:

1. Garlic

Ingredients: Garlic

Ways to Use:

Though it may sound difficult to do, but put a small clove of garlic in your mouth and chew it. If you find this method to be overwhelming, you can swallow it with water.

2. Ginger

Ingredients: Ginger

Ways to Use:

Adults can try this, add 2 tablespoon of chopped ginger root in one cup of boiling water and let it seep for a few minutes.

Drain the mixture after a few minutes and sip the liquid slowly. Do this twice or thrice a day. It will relieve your cough and will soothe your sore throat.

3. Eucalyptus Oil

Ingredients: Eucalyptus Oil

Ways to Use:

Eucalyptus oil, when inhaled can be useful in treating a blocked nose.

4. Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Home-made Chicken Soup

Ways to Use:

A bowl of hot steamy chicken soup prepared at home with vegetables will prevent the formation of large quantities of mucus, helping control the runny nose.

So go ahead and try these effective home-made remedies to get relief from the cold in a natural way!

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