Have you ever woken up in the morning with a sore throat , a runny nose , and a headache? We've all experienced this. We usually call it a " cold " or " flu ." It's actually an infection of the nose and throat caused by a virus . Most of the time, it's not a serious illness and can be treated with simple home remedies.
What are the common symptoms of a cold?
When you catch a cold, the symptoms can vary from person to person. But there are some common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.
Remember, according to the CDC, an adult in the US gets about two to three colds a year. But young children can get more than six colds a year.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| A slight fever | Even though I felt hot, I didn't have a high fever when I looked at my temperature. |
| Chills/shivering | Feeling cold for no particular reason. You may even shiver. |
| Headache | Heaviness and pain coming from inside the head. |
| Body ache | The feeling of sore muscles, like when you exercise. |
| Tiredness and fatigue | Feeling extremely tired even without doing anything. |
| Cough | Cough with or without phlegm. |
| Soto fluid leakage | Constant runny nose. |
| Nasal congestion | Swelling of the tissues inside the nose, making it difficult to breathe. |
| Sore throat | Sore throat when swallowing food or saliva. |
What are some home remedies for colds?
These remedies won't cure your cold instantly. But they can greatly reduce the discomfort you feel. The most important thing is that since the cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no effect on it.
Here are some things you can try at home:
If you use medications...
You can take a medicine containing acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol) or ibuprofen for fever and body aches. But remember, most doctors say it's best not to use aspirin for a cold.
There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you can buy from pharmacies for coughs and colds. You can also use cough drops or throat sprays for sore throats. But no matter what medication you take, read the label carefully and make sure you don't take more than the recommended dose. If you have other medical conditions or are taking other medications, it's always best to talk to your doctor before starting a new medication.
Keep your body well hydrated.
Drink plenty of water these days. Also, drinking things like hot lemon and honey tea, hot chicken soup, and fruit juice will help reduce sore throats and prevent dehydration .
Have a good rest.
Your body needs strength to fight this virus and recover. The best thing for that is rest . Get as much sleep as possible. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a day.
Increase the humidity in the room
If the air in the room is dry, nasal congestion may increase. If possible, use a humidifier. Otherwise, as we all know, steam inhalation is also a very good treatment. When you put some mint leaves or a few cloves in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam, your nose will be very relieved.
When should you see a doctor?
A cold usually starts to subside in about 3-4 days, and is completely gone within 7-10 days. However, if you or someone in your family has any of the symptoms below, you should definitely see a doctor.
| If you are an adult, be aware of these symptoms! | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing | Sudden chest or stomach pain |
| Sudden dizziness | Abnormal behavior or mental confusion |
| Severe, persistent vomiting | Symptoms persist for more than 7-10 days or become severe |
Does your little one have these symptoms?
Young children are more likely to catch colds than adults. This is because their immune systems are not yet fully developed and they are in close contact with other children at school and daycare centers.
It is difficult to know exactly what symptoms a child has, because they do not know how to express them. Therefore , pay special attention to the symptoms below. If any of these are present, take your child to a doctor immediately. If necessary, do not hesitate to go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) .
| If a child has these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately! | |
|---|---|
| Severe headache | Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing |
| Earache | Severe sore throat |
| Excessive sleepiness, lethargy | High fever lasting more than a day |
| Chest or stomach pain | Refusing food or liquids |
Simple remedies that children can do
If your child's symptoms aren't severe enough to require a visit to the doctor, there are a few things you can do at home to help them feel better:
- Bathe in warm water: This will reduce the pain in the body and make the child feel better.
- Apply an ointment under the nose: Applying something like petroleum jelly to the skin under the nose that is red and painful due to frequent sneezing can provide relief.
- Rest and fluids: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Also, give him fluids like water, soup, and porridge regularly.
- For a sore throat: Children over 6 years old can be given cough drops for a sore throat. Do not give them to children younger than that as they can cause choking.
Take-Home Message
- The common cold is a viral illness, so antibiotics don't work for it.
- The best treatment is to get plenty of rest and drink fluids (water, soup, porridge).
- You can take a medicine like paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and body aches. But always take the correct dosage.
- If you have warning signs such as difficulty breathing, high fever, or severe pain, see a doctor immediately, especially in young children.
- A cold is a condition that usually resolves itself within a few days, so don't panic unnecessarily.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න