What Is The Common Cold?
Everyone at one point in time has had a cold. It is extremely common and way too easy to catch. Most adults come down with a cold at least 3 to 4 times a year, but children unfortunately have many more than that. It is because their immune systems are weaker then adults, and they aren’t as good as not spreading germs as adults are. Especially considering the fact that colds spread much quicker in daycares and schools where there is a lot of children in one place.
When you first come down with a cold you will have the typical symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and fatigue. You may have a small fever of only 1 to 2 degrees higher than normal. Although a cold has some of the same symptoms as influenza, it is much milder leaving you to still go about your daily routine. However, it can affect your disposition and leave you feeling pretty miserable if the cold is bad enough.
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause a cold, so it is relatively easy to catch a cold, however, if you have a stronger immune system you may be able to fight it off better then someone who has a weak immune system. When you first catch a cold you are contagious at least for a day before you show symptoms which is when you will most likely pass it on to other people you come in contact with. It is easy to spread a cold just by sneezing, coughing, and sharing objects that are infected by someone with a cold. A cold by itself is rarely serious, and will most often clear up on its own.
Although a cold cannot be cured, you can get help for the symptoms to make you feel a bit better. Rest and fluids are the best ways to cure a common cold. Your immune system will eventually overcome the infection and you should be back to normal within a week or so. There is usually no reason to see a doctor about your cold, unless you have a secondary infection such as sinusitis or bronchitis. For typical cold symptoms there is nothing that a doctor will prescribe to you. You do however have a lot of choices in over the counter medication that can relieve some of the symptoms.
There are many natural remedies that will help to alleviate the cold as well as prevent a future cold. Herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular because they are safe and effective, and they do not have the side effects that over the counter medications do. Over the counter medications can make you either jittery or drowsy and they often make you have a “foggy” feeling. Instead of taking over the counter medication, you can certainly find relief in herbal remedies. Some of the herbs that can help a common cold are Echinacea Purpurea, Inula Helenium, and Withania Somnifera. They all work together with their own antibacterial properties that help support the immune system. Yarrow, Mentha Piperita, Nux Vom, and Baccillum also are great herbal remedies to rid your body of the unfortunate symptoms associated with a common cold.