 Common cold is so common that even the strongest among us falls prey to it. Medical research has still not found a cure – sometimes antibiotics have no effects on the virus, and there isn’t a single effective vaccine against it, as there are at least 200 types of viruses that can cause common cold!
“Common cold can happen to anybody and usually, it is taken care of by itself. Though it is a case of viral infection, it should be taken care of if followed by a fever after three days, before it leads to further complications,” says Dr Vasant Nagvekar, consultant physician, Lilavati Hospital.
“In cases where the person already suffers from chronic asthma or allergic rhinitis, then it becomes important to care for your running nose to avoid further nasal congestions,” suggests Dr Nagvekar.
The virus spreads through airborne droplets expelled in coughs and sneezes, and contaminates objects and surfaces around the sufferer. It may be difficult to prevent a cold entirely, but the following tips can help you to a great extent.
- When coughing or sneezing, always use a handkerchief. Wash your hands frequently – use warm soapy water and scrub your hands for about 15 seconds. If water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean your hands. Use an antiviral disinfectant to clean contaminated surfaces such as telephones, toys, and staircase railings.
- Smokers – both active and passive – are more prone to respiratory illnesses and complications of common cold than people who are not exposed to tobacco smoke. So stop smoking.
- People who get less than seven hours of sound sleep are nearly three times more likely to catch a cold than those who sleep at least eight hours. A balanced diet and sound sleep can keep your immune system strong enough to fight common cold.
- A happy, pleasant and relaxed frame of mind can also protect you from a cold. If you feel too stressed out, stress management measures be it massage, yoga or just some soothing music, can be helpful.
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