ENWhat is the Common Cold? What is Good for Colds?
Cold is a nose and throat disease caused by viruses. It has been understood that more than 200 viruses cause the common cold. The other name of the disease is the common cold. The main viruses that cause the disease are; rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses and RSV. The disease is more common in autumn and winter. The incubation period of the disease is 24 - 72 hours. The duration of a cold is usually about 1 week. This period may be longer in young children. Cold is often confused with flu. However, the cold is a milder disease than the flu. The biggest difference between a cold and the flu is that there is no runny nose in the flu.
Who gets cold (flu)?
Flu can occur at any age, from children to adults. Antibodies passed from the mother in the first 6 months protect the baby. In the later period, it is considered normal for a child to have 6-8 cold attacks per year. The number increases during the school year as children begin to be in more crowded environments. Adults may have 2-3 attacks per year.
How is the common cold (flu) transmitted?
Flu is transmitted from person to person as a result of the nasal and throat secretions of sick people being spread around by droplets . The main factors that increase contagion are:
- Lack of hygiene (inability to wash hands, contact with sick peoples belongings, cleaning of toys in nurseries),
- Close contact with people who have colds
- Smoking or being in smoking environments,
- Insufficient sleep,
- Weak immune system,
- Crowded and poorly ventilated environments, public transportation vehicles,
- Places of collective living such as nurseries, schools and kindergartens.
What are the symptoms of cold (flu)?
The main symptoms of the common cold are:
- Fever (not too high),
- Sore throat, burning in the throat,
- Runny nose, nasal congestion,
- Sneeze,
- Dry cough,
- Watery and burning sensation in the eyes,
- Fullness in the ears,
- Headache,
- Weakness and fatigue.
How is the common cold diagnosed?
The diagnosis of cold is made by the patients complaints and the physicians examination of the patient. If there are no complications, there is no need to test.
How to treat cold (flu)?
There is no specific treatment for the common cold. If the patient does not develop sinusitis, bronchitis or middle ear infection, antibiotics are not used. Disease symptoms usually last 10 days. However, if complications occur, the duration of the disease is prolonged. General treatment principles are to reduce the patients pain with painkillers and to enable the patient to breathe easily with nasal decongestants. It is beneficial to drink plenty of fluids during this process. Humidifying the room air allows the patient to breathe easily. The throat can be gargled. Some medications used in the treatment of colds can be used when necessary. Herbal teas are also very useful for colds. It is important to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Bed rest should be taken as much as possible. A mask can be used to prevent contamination. Hand cleaning is very important in preventing the spread of the disease.
What is good for the common cold?
- Mint and lemon
- Ginger honey
- Cinnamon honey milk
- Lemon linden
- C vitamin
- Throat lozenges
- Echinacea tea
- Chicken and trotter soup
What are the complications of the common cold?
Cough may last longer in young babies after a cold. A lower respiratory tract infection called bronchiolitis may occur. Also, middle ear infections are common in young children after a cold. Nasal congestion can cause the sinuses to fill up and cause sinusitis. Pneumonia and bronchitis may develop after a cold in young children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. In asthmatic patients, the common cold can trigger an asthma attack.
Yellow-green runny nose and headache that does not go away after a cold may be signs of sinusitis. Earache and ear discharge are signs of middle ear infection. If a strong cough that does not go away for a long time is accompanied by difficulty breathing, the lower respiratory tract should be examined.
To protect yourself from colds, it is necessary to pay attention to the following:
- Washing hands frequently,
- Avoid touching nose and eyes with hands,
- Ventilate the environment frequently,
- Not smoking and not being in smoking environments,
- Cleaning of toys in nurseries and kindergartens.