Colds make you feel miserable. The cold season, running from early September through April, is here. Although you can catch a cold anytime, you are more likely to get one when cooler weather forces people indoors, where they’re in closer contact with one another.
More than 200 viruses cause colds, and any one person can expect to be infected by two to four of them a year. Cold viruses spread by contact. Once a virus gets on your hands, it can easily be transferred to your eyes, nose, or mouth, where it can develop into a cold. Sharing household items, such as door knobs and telephones, with an infected person can also spread cold viruses. So can inhaling infectious particles from the air when a person sneezes or coughs.
Several factors – including your age, genes and how long and how closely you were exposed to a cold virus – can make you more prone to developing a cold. Being a smoker weakens your respiratory passages, making you more susceptible to a viral invasion.
The best way to prevent a cold from developing is to wash your hands frequently with soap. Dishwashing liquids have been found particularly effective, as they appear to destroy viruses. Unwashed hands should be kept away from your face, especially your mouth, nose, and eyes.
When you’re getting a cold, you know it. Symptoms – sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, stuffed-up nasal passages and sinuses – usually appear two to three days after you come in contact with the virus. A cold can last anywhere from two days to two weeks, but most people recover within a week.
As we all know, there is no cure for the common cold. But, there are ways to make the experience more bearable. For example, drink a lot of warm liquids, and get plenty of rest.
Some over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms, although they won’t speed your recovery. Antihistamines help dry a runny nose and reduce sneezing. Decongestants relieve congestion and stuffiness. Cough medicines come in two types: first, antitussives (suppressants), which help stop dry coughs, and, second, expectorants, which loosen mucus in the chest and make coughing easier. Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin) can ease minor aches and pains.
Antibiotics, which kill bacteria, are not useful for colds, which are caused by viruses. So don’t expect your health care provider to prescribe an antibiotic. In fact, using antibiotics unnecessarily increases the risk that bacteria will become resistant to the drugs. Then they wouldn’t be effective if needed later for a bacterial infection.
Although vitamin C doesn’t cure colds, taking a daily supplement of 500 -1000 milligrams may help strengthen resistance to viral infections. Echinacea is an herb that appears to stimulate the immune system and may help shorten the duration of a cold. Taking zinc lozenges at the start of a cold may also shorten its duration.
It’s not usually necessary for a health care provider to treat a cold. But if symptoms persist or worsen, this could be a sign that a bacterial infection (such as strep throat, pneumonia, or sinus infection) has developed. See a provider if you have shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, or difficulty swallowing. It is also a good idea to tell a provider about:
? Ear, sinus, tooth, or throat pain that is severe or lasts for three days
? A fever over 102 degrees
* A rash
* A cough that lasts longer than two weeks or that produces blood
* A cold that comes back when you seem to be getting over it