Common Cold

Common Cold - Click to enlarge

WHAT IS THE COMMON COLD
The common cold is an infection in nasal passage and throat. The common cold will affect most people during their lifetime. A cold is relatively harmless even though you may experience symptoms that seem to suggest otherwise.

In general a cold lasts between 5 and 7 days. Adults can have a cold up to 4 times per year and children, especially younger children, can have a cold up 10 times per year.

Colds are usually more common in the colder winter months; however you can experience a cold at anytime during the year. Children are more susceptible to colds than adults due to their immature immune resistance and lack of hygiene.

CAUSE OF A COLD
A cold is caused by a viral infection. There are over 200 viruses that cause colds but the most common is the rhinovirus. The virus spreads through the air so if someone sneezes or coughs near you, your likely to catch it. The virus is also spread through touch; if you touch something that an infected person has touched you’ll probably catch a cold. The virus eventually has to enter your body through your nose or mouth. The viruses change every year so it’s difficult to get a cold cure.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A COLD
Usually the symptoms of a cold don’t appear until 1-4 days after you’ve been in contact with the virus.

Symptoms May Include:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Low Fever
• Hoarseness
• Runny Nose
• Watery Eyes
• Blocked Nose
• Feeling Fatigued
• Sore / Itchy Throat
• Mild aches and Pains

BEST TREATMENT FOR A COLD
There are no drugs or treatments that cure the common cold, but your own immune system can. The best treatment for colds is to strengthen your immune system. It will fight the infection and help you recovery faster, with milder symptoms. Of course prevention is always better than treatment, so try to keep your immune systems strong, especially during the winter months.

NATURAL HERBS & FOODS TO TREAT A COLD

• Garlic
• Essiac
• Ginger
• Lemon
• Propolis
• Chlorella
• Echinacea
• Olive Leaf
• Vitamin A, C & E
• Grape Seed Extract
• Minerals Iron, Zinc, Selenium

TREATMENTS THAT REDUCE THE SYMPTOMS

• Rest in bed for a few days
• Use antiseptic gels and soaps
• Keep the room temperature warm but not hot
• Use lozenges, gargles and sprays for sore throats
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve sore throats
• Drink 8-10glasses of water per day (thins the mucus)
• Have foods or supplements with vitamin C, Garlic and echinacea
• Use Epsom salts in a bath to relieve fatigue and aching muscles
• Use tissues for sneezing and blowing your nose, then discard them
• Stay at home away from public places to avoid spreading the infection
• Do not smoke during this time as it irritates your lungs and causes more mucus
• Use soothing creams to keep your nose hydrated and to protect against cracking
• Drink warm lemon and manuka honey water to soothe the throat and kill the viral infection
• Use a drop of peppermint essential oil (on the nose and sinus area, keeping the eyes closed) to clear the nose
• Use manuka / eucalyptus oil in Steam inhalations to open up the bronchials’ and clear the congestion

MEDICATIONS
Medications such as decongestants (clear congestion) and antihistamines (treat allergy symptoms) and suppressants (stop coughing) are usually used for runny and blocked noses and dry coughs. These medications only suppress the symptoms and your immune system. Although it can offer relief, it usually takes longer to fight the infection. It is better and faster to boost your immune system naturally and let it fight the cause.

Don’t double up on medication. Most cold medications contain similar ingredients so make sure you don’t have too many combinations.

Remember antibiotics do not kill viruses, they only kill bacteria infections. Your doctor would only prescribe antibiotics if your cold becomes complicated by bacterial infection.

COMPLICATIONS
Your cold may become bacterial as well as viral. See your GP for advice and treatment if you notice any of the symptoms below.

See a GP if you have:

• Chest Pain
• Coughed up Blood
• Dark green Phlegm
• A Fever at or over 38°C (101.2°F)
• Not gotten over the cold within 7 days
• A Severe Throat Infection (swollen glands)
• A Sinus Infection (pain in forehead and nasal area)
• A Middle Ear Infection (painful ears and lack of balance)
• Pneumonia Symptoms: (lung infection) cough that wont go away

RELATED PRODUCTS

• Natural Products to Combat a Cold