Cold: Treatment And Prevention
What is it?
What is it?
It is a simple infection of the upper respiratory tract - affects the nose and throat, lasting a few days to few weeks (usually less than two weeks). In this type of infection occurs a large destruction of the lining of the respiratory virus. The body's defenses react the affected individual, causing more inflammation. This can cause bacteria in the airways that are taking advantage of the situation by producing mucus (phlegm) pus that can be expelled through the nose or mouth. This explains why in some cases, a simple cold virus may lead a person to develop bacterial pneumonia.
The cold end when the lining regenerate damaged, then the infection is resolved.
Five different families of viruses can cause colds. The virus most often involved is the rhinovirus. The large variety of viruses, no vaccine currently exists to protect persons of these viruses.
Colds are common and are among the main causes of absence from work. Adults, on average, have two to four colds a year, and children (especially preschoolers) five to nine. These infections are more common in nurseries. Although the specific treatment did not cooled, they are self-limiting. Whether you use drugs or not, within a few days people improve. After three to four days, cooled to improve symptoms even though some may persist for up to two weeks. If it lasts longer, it is important to conduct a medical examination to investigate the possibility that a bacterial infection may have arisen after the flu - pneumonia, laryngitis (inflammation of the vocal cords), sinusitis or otitis.
How do you get?
For a person catch a cold, it is necessary that the virus contact with the lining of the nose. The viruses that reach the eyes or mouth can also extend to the nose. In some cases, the person can become infected by virus through the other. One cold, sneezes, spreading droplets in the air with mucus and viruses. A second person, this breathing contaminated air, the virus makes contact with the nose and ends up developing the disease. However, the most common route of transmission of these viruses is by direct contact.
For example: a child cold touches his face, spreading a bit of mucus (phlegm) and virus particles through his fingers. By grasping the hand of his mother, transfers the virus to your skin. The mother, to touch your own face with contaminated hands, catches the cold. The same transfer of virus can occur through objects. A person who puts his hand cooled his nose in a glass and then transfers the virus to the glass. Another person, using the glass, takes the virus to his hand, and leading up to your face, get cold.
There is no evidence that the cooling of the body can cause a person to develop a cold. However, emotional stress, fatigue and other factors that decrease the defense mechanisms (immunity) of the body can facilitate the emergence of the disease.
What does it feel?
Typically, the symptoms appear 1-3 days after the person to contact the virus and may last up to a week in most cases.
Among the symptoms include:
- Nose with discharge (runny nose) intense - like water in the early days. Further, it may become thick and yellowish;
- Obstruction of the nose difficult breathing, sneezing, coughing and sore throat (pain);
- Decrease of smell and taste;
- Voice "nasal" (voice of the person with a stuffy nose);
- Hoarseness;
- Adults may have fever, while children may have high fever;
- Body aches;
- Headache;
- Fever (can occur in children). Uncommon in adults.
How does the doctor make the diagnosis?
The medical diagnosis is made through this conversation with the patient, associated with the examination of the patient. No additional tests are required - except in those cases in which hangs a question about the diagnosis. In this case, blood tests, imaging studies such as radiography, research and examinations of germs in the nasal secretions, for example, may be used. Tests for detection of viruses that cause colds can also be made.
We must remember that flu is not flu. Flu is a more serious respiratory infection caused by influenza virus.
How is it?
There is no treatment to combat the virus that causes the disease.
The guidance given by the doctor aims to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and provide appropriate conditions for the body of the affected person will recover soon.
Therefore, it is important that the individual take enough liquid such as water and juices, since good hydration prevents drying of the nose, throat, facilitating the removal of contaminated secretions. Gargling with warm salt water several times a day or take warm water with lemon and honey can help reduce the irritation of the throat and relieve cough.
To assist in alleviating the symptoms of the nose, may be used salt nasal drops. Smoking can worsen a sore throat and cough.
To assist in alleviating the symptoms of the nose, one can use oxymetazoline nasal spray (or similar) in adults and saline drops for nasal adults or children. Smoking can worsen a sore throat and cough. Among the drugs to alleviate symptoms, is used as acetaminophen or some anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen, which can alleviate the pain. We must remember that the anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with diseases such as asthma or gastritis or peptic ulcer should be discouraged.
As for congestion or runny nose and cough, there are medications that work very well combined. Hot drinks (like soups) and spicy foods can help relieve sore throat or cough. In alternative medicine, menthol is also used to give a sense of relief from congestion of the nose. Zinc may also be used in order to shorten the time to disease. Homeopaths can also make use of other substances to help control the symptoms of the disease.
How is it prevented?
How many different viruses can cause colds, have not yet developed effective vaccines.
It's almost impossible not to catch cold. But there are some actions that can reduce this risk.
Among these precautions are:
- Wash your hands often and teach children to their importance;
- If possible, avoid close contact with people cooled;
- Always wash hands after contact with the skin of people with colds or objects touched by them;
- Keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose;
- Do not share the same cup with others;
- Keep clean the kitchen and bathroom, especially when someone at home is cooled.
For spread of the disease is important that the person is cooled:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing;
- If possible, stay away from other people in the first three days of illness when the infection is greater.
Truths and lies against the cold:
- Large doses of vitamin C do not prevent or cure colds. However, they can help;
- The use of cold casaces help prevent the onset of pneumonia, but not flu or colds;
- Working or going to school cold probably does not prolong the disease, but it certainly puts others at risk;
- A hot soup is a good source of fluid in the treatment, but has no curative effects.
- Garlic can help prevent this disease.
by: Stiven Benson
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