For most of us, a cold is just a minor annoyance that will go away in a couple of days. You might sneeze a little, have a runny nose, and feel a little lethargic, but we know that drinking a little or a fifth of boiled coriander and taking a few days off can help. However, if you have a long-term medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, even a common cold can be very dangerous. So you definitely need to be extra careful about this.
Why is a cold dangerous for someone with a chronic illness?
Simply put, when your body is already fighting one illness, it becomes harder for it to handle another infection, like a cold. This can make your long-term health condition worse. Let's look at how this affects a few major medical conditions.
Asthma
If you have asthma, it means that your lungs and airways are constantly in a sensitive state. When you get a cold, the virus can cause your airways to swell, narrow, and produce more mucus. This can make it harder to breathe and worsen your asthma symptoms . Also, some people take medications for colds, such as antihistamines, which can thicken mucus and make it harder to clear from the lungs.
Heart Disease
If you have heart disease, your heart is already working under some strain. If a cold causes a lung infection (such as pneumonia), your body may not get enough oxygen. What happens then? Your heart has to work harder than usual to pump oxygenated blood to all parts of your body. This extra strain can be too much for an already weak heart to handle.
Diabetes
A person with diabetes usually has a weaker immune system. This makes it harder for them to fight off a virus like the common cold. More importantly, the extra stress that comes with being sick can make it harder for your body to control your blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar levels can suddenly go up or down. Therefore, it is important for a person with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels when they catch a cold.
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis
Both of these conditions belong to a group of diseases called COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). These are diseases that affect the lungs and are usually seen in long-term smokers. These conditions already cause breathing difficulties. When you get a cold, these symptoms, such as shortness of breath and coughing, become worse .
HIV/AIDS
The HIV virus directly attacks our body's defenses, the immune system. This reduces the body's ability to fight germs. So, even if a person with HIV gets a common cold, the risk of it becoming severe and developing complications like pneumonia is much higher.
So, how can you avoid this risk?
Although it is not possible to prevent catching a cold 100% of the time, there are many things we can do to reduce our risk. These are especially important if you have a chronic illness.
- Wash your hands often: The main way the flu spreads is through touch. So wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Make it a habit to do this after coming home from the hospital, before eating, and after using the bathroom.
- Avoid touching your face: The virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. So stop touching these areas unnecessarily.
- Exercise regularly: Simple exercises can boost your immune system. But remember, if you have a chronic illness, you should talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Eat nutritious foods: Include dark green, red, and yellow vegetables, fruits, and legumes in your diet. The nutrients they provide will strengthen your immune system.
- Avoid smoking completely: Smokers tend to catch colds more often and have more severe symptoms when they do. Also, avoid being around other people who smoke.
- Reduce alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption also weakens the immune system and increases the risk of developing diseases.
- Reduce stress: Stress is a big enemy of the immune system. Things like meditation and engaging in a hobby can help a lot to keep your mind calm.
When is it best to see a doctor?
Since you have a chronic illness, you should be especially aware of certain symptoms, even if they are just a common cold. If you notice something like this, don't delay.
The most important thing: If you have a chronic illness, it is not a good idea to go to the pharmacy and buy cold medicine on your own. Because some medications can affect your condition or other medications you are already taking. Therefore, before taking any medication, be sure to talk to your doctor and get advice.
Pay particular attention to the following features:
| Warning Sign | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Symptoms getting worse | If your cold symptoms worsen after 3-4 days and do not improve, see your doctor immediately. |
| New symptoms | Seek medical advice if you develop new symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, or high fever. |
| Change in mucus color | If you have a cough with thick yellow or green mucus, it could be a sign of a bacterial infection. See a doctor immediately. |
| Emergency! | If you experience severe difficulty breathing or chest pain , it is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately, without any delay. |
Take-Home Message
- If you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, you should take even a common cold seriously and be careful.
- Prevention is the best way to prevent the disease. Frequent hand washing and a healthy lifestyle are very important.
- If you have a chronic illness, never take over-the-counter medicine for a cold without medical advice. It can be dangerous.
- If symptoms become severe, or if you develop dangerous symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
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