Common Cold – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Home Remedies, and More.

Common Cold   |   Causes   |   Symptoms   |   Risk Factors   |   Prevention   |   Home Remedies   |   See A Doctor
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Priyanshi Sharma
| Date : Dec 13 2023

Common cold

“The common cold is an infection caused by viruses affecting the upper respiratory tract (nose & throat).”

The common cold is mostly caused by a rhinovirus but can also be caused by more than 200 different viruses. It is very easy to detect the early symptoms of it as it is normal. Most of the symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, and many more. It’symptoms mostly lasts for 7 to 10 days. Adults might experience a common cold on an average of about 2-3 colds each year and infants get affected often.

The common cold is highly contagious i.e. can be transferred from person to person or any surface. It does not harm anyone usually but if it lasts long then you should consult a doctor.

A 3-D image of rhinovirus that causes Common Cold.
A girl in red t-shirt suffering from congestion.

Symptoms

The common cold symptoms can be detected early because they normally appear within 1-3 days post-infection. Some of the common symptoms are:

  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Sneezing frequently
  • Sore throat
  • Coughing
  • Watery eyes
  • Feeling tired and lethargic
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Slight fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Earache
  • Chills
  • Congestion
  • Postnasal drip
  • Slight shortness of breath
  • Swollen lymph nodes
A girl holding a hand in a cigarette.

Risk factors

Prevention

Common cold can spread from one individual to another and from one surface to another. There is no particular vaccine for the common cold. Therefore, people (both infected and non-infected) need to take preventive measures.

  • Wash your hands properly with soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers to avoid germs.
  • Keep a safe distance from sick people and wash your hands if you touch them.
  • Eat healthy foods like yogurt and essential probiotics for your gut health.
  • Avoid touching your face because germs can live on your body surface for hours. If they come in contact with your mouth or nose can make you sick.
  • Stay at home when you feel sick as it will help to prevent the spreading of the virus.
  • Cough into a tissue or your elbow if you feel like coughing or sneezing. Remember to wash your hands.
  • Use disinfectant to clean your house surfaces like switches, doorknobs, etc., if someone is sick in your house.
A garlic on a wooden platter for common cold remedy.
Image by jcomp on Freepik

Effective home remedies for the common cold.

  1. Ginger:

    Ginger contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Ginger tea is the most effective remedy for colds. It soothes your throat and helps in pain relief. You can prepare the ginger tea by slicing 12gm of raw ginger and adding it to boiling water with sugar. You can also add honey or other elements as per your choice. Strain it in a cup and consume it while it is hot.

    Ginger also helps in decreasing muscle pain, managing nausea, comforting sore throat, and also provides hydration.

  2. Saltwater:

    Gargling with salt water is helpful for many conditions. During a cold, it might assist in preventing infections in the upper respiratory system. It also helps in removing bacteria and allergens by reducing mucus.

    For saltwater gargle, take a glass of water and dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in it by mixing. Take a good amount of this in your mouth and swish it around. Don’t drink it. This will also help you if you are facing severe cold symptoms.

  3. Vitamin C:

    Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and it plays a variety of vital functions in the body, including assisting the immune system. Vitamin C can help in improving cold symptoms and eventually might decrease the time that your cold lasts. You can find vitamin C in green veggies and citrus fruits.

  4. Soup:

    Consuming hot soup can help you provide comfort during the cold. There is no proof that it can cure colds, but it may help you to provide the needed nutrients. This will make your immune system strong to fight against. There are many soups that you can try like tomato soup, chicken soup, etc.

    Chicken soup can slow down the white blood cell (WBC) movement in the body. White blood cells (also called neutrophils) fight against infection. Due to their slower movement, they will be
    present or accumulate in those areas where they need more.

  5. Garlic:

    Garlic comprises antimicrobial and perhaps antiviral properties as it contains allicin. Research claims that it protects you against illness or getting sick. Therefore, including garlic in your diet might help you in reducing severe cold symptoms.

  6. Honey:

    Honey is rich in antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Adding honey to a tea with lemon might relieve pain from a sore throat. According to research, it might also reduce cough and act as a suppressant for the same.

    Honey is good for adults and older kids. It should not be given to a child below 12 months. It contains botulinum spores that their immune system won’t be able to fight against it.

  7. Ointments:

    Ointments like VapoRub which contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol can help to reduce cough during the night. It helps to provide relief from cough, congestion, closed air passages, and improved sleep.

    VapoRub should not be used for children below 2 years.

A stethoscope used by doctors.
Image by Freepik

When to see a doctor?

As we have discussed earlier, cold is not harmful, but it can make you feel very tired. It usually goes away within 7-10 days. Therefore, home remedies are the most suitable way to deal with cold.

However, there are some cases of severe colds, and you should see a doctor in such cases:

  • If your cold symptoms become more severe than normal like severe headaches, then you should consult a doctor.
  • If your cold symptoms persist for a long time i.e. exceeding 10 days, a doctor’s appointment is a must.
  • If it becomes difficult to breathe.
  • If you have a high or persistent fever (103°F in adults and more than 100.4°F in adults) during the cold.
  • It can also worsen the condition of people who have asthma.