Cold is a viral infection of our upper air passages. It causes inflammation of the mucous membranes lining of the nose and throat. We recover from it once we are immunes. You won’t catch cold if you can be immune to the over 200 cold viruses. That’s why children are the ones who usually infected which may occur 10 times a year. Coughing and sneezing is the easiest way for the cold virus to be spread.
Here are the symptoms:
- Sore throat (can be accompanied by a hoarse voice)
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Headache
- Cough
- Body aches
- Mild fever
- Chills
- Malaise (uneasiness or discomfort feeling)
The infection may cause:
- Inflammation on our air passages
- Inflammation of the voice box (larynx)
- Inflammation of the middle ear
- Sinusitis
- Inflammation of the windpipe (trachea)
- Secondary bacterial infection
- Aggravation of existing respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic ear infections, etc.
- Reactivation of the virus that causes cold sores
What we can do is
- Rest and stop doing exercise
- Drink plenty of fluids especially hot drinks
- Inhale steam to loosen nasal congestion and ease expulsion of mucus
- Stop smoking
- Take decongestant medicines or use nose drops/sprays (not to be done more than a few days)
- Blow nose frequently blocking one nostril at a time (to keep nasal secretions from being forced to sinuses and the middle ear that may cause infection)
- Consult a doctor if the cold remains or worsens for more than 10 days that the doctor can check why symptoms have worsen and perform proper treatment of complications
To prevent catching cold, avoid crowded places. You’ll easily catch the cold virus there. also, keep yourself healthy by having a balanced diet and regular boy exercise.
Source: Health Guide PhilippinesYou can copy this article as long as you give a link back to this site.
No comments:
Post a Comment