cold
The common cold is considered the most infectious disease that affects humans, and in fact, the common cold appears as a result of exposure to some types of viruses that attack the upper respiratory tract, and one of the most common viruses that cause this disease is the Corona virus, also known as the virus. Coronavirus, as well as the virus known scientifically as rhinovirus, and the reason behind the prevalence of this type of health problem can be explained by the fact that there are more than two hundred viruses that can cause a person to suffer from a cold, and therefore it cannot be That the body builds resistance against all of these types, and this has been proven by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in English: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). colds, it was found that they may catch it 12 times in one year. As for the method by which the infection is transmitted, it can be said that the arrival of droplets from the infected person to a healthy person may be sufficient to contract the disease, and in fact the droplets can reach through coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces contaminated with the droplets of the infected person, and in any case the infected person is contagious a day or two before. Two days from the onset of symptoms and its ability to transmit infection continues until the symptoms disappear completely.
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There are a number of treatment options that achieve rapid control of the symptoms that appear in people with a cold, the most important of which can be mentioned as follows:
- Taking enough rest and being absent from work or school, with the aim of providing sufficient energy for the body to fight and control viruses that cause infection.
- Sleeping enough hours during the night and taking naps during the day several times per day, because lack of sleep weakens the immune system, and thus limits its ability to confront viruses that cause cold infection. Among the tips that are given in the field of sleep: making sure to use an additional pillow in order to raise the head, which reduces the pressure caused, and thus facilitates the process of breathing for the injured.
- Take care to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and it should be noted that the recommendation to drink plenty of fluids came from the scientific base that fluids help get rid of mucus and relieve the feeling of congestion, in addition to their role in reducing headache symptoms and general fatigue that may occur as a result of suffering from Dehydration. As for drinks containing gases, caffeine and alcohol, the patient should refrain from consuming them, as they cause the symptoms of the disease to worsen.
- Gargling or rinsing with water and salt, because this matter has a role in controlling bloating and reducing mucus accumulation. It is worth noting that the saline solution is prepared for gargling by adding a quarter to half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water, and this process is repeated several times per day. .
- Drink hot tea and other hot drinks in order to control cold symptoms such as feeling tired and general fatigue, as well as sore throat.
- Eat honey, because it has a role in reducing the cough that may accompany the common cold, but it should be noted that giving honey is not allowed in cases where the infected person is under the first year of life.
- Taking a hot shower, because the rising steam helps moisturize the throat and nose, which relieves the symptoms that the patient suffers from, including congestion, and it has been shown that warm water helps to relax the muscles.
- Taking medicines that are sold without a prescription: It should be noted that these medicines are not given to children under six years of age without consulting a doctor, in addition to the need for the user to pay attention to the instructions attached to the package. The most important and common of these medicines can be summarized as follows:
- Pain-relieving and fever-reducing drugs: including the drug known as Paracetamol, and it should be noted that paracetamol is found in many medicines intended for the treatment of colds, so the user should pay attention to the dose prepared in each drug so that the total daily dose does not exceed 3000 mg.
- Decongestants: These medications shrink the blood vessels of the nose, which in turn helps open the airways. It is not recommended to use them for more than three days.
- Expectorants: Also known as expectorants, these medicines help dissolve sputum.
- Antihistamines: These drugs reduce runny nose and sneezing.
Factors that increase the risk of catching a cold
Although it is possible for any person to catch a cold, there are a number of factors that increase the chances of contracting it, and the following is a statement of the most important of them:
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- Weakened immune system: People who suffer from a weak immune system are exposed to colds more than others, and among the factors that cause a weak immune system: having a chronic disease.
- time of year: It was found that people catch colds in the fall and winter seasons more than the rest of the seasons.
- smoking: As smokers are more likely to suffer from the common cold, and it was also found that the severity of the disease is more severe if the person is a smoker.
