Frequently Asked Questions About the Common Cold

The cold virus can easily spread common cold. You should read the following answers about common cold.

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

Both flu and common cold are respiratory illnesses which are caused by different viruses. The symptoms of both these are similar and it can be difficult to tell them apart. The symptoms of cold are much milder than flu.

There can be some symptoms of common cold like sore throat, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough and mild fever. There can be higher fever in flu with chills, body ache and fatigue.

Why isn't there a cold vaccine?

There are about 250 different viruses which can cause common cold. Therefore it can be very difficult for scientists to prepare vaccines for the protection against all these cold viruses and there is less need for cold vaccine as well. There can be some minor infections in nose, throat and sinuses with cold. There can be no serious complications with colds as these come and go.

What's the best treatment for a cold?

The common cold has no cure. You should drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated to prevent your body from other infection from setting in. coffee, tea and colas with caffeine should be avoided as the system of fluids is robed with them. You should follow your appetite. You should eat simple food if you are not too hungry like white rice or broth.

The chicken soup can be very good and its steam can be helpful to break up nasal congestion. The upset stomach can be settled with ginger. You can have good sleep with toddy but you should mix alcohol with other cold remedies.

You can have relief from aches and fever with over the counter cold medicines. The doctors don’t believe in suppressing low grade fever apart from very young and very old people with lung or heart disease. The body can fight off infection by suppressing the growth of virus and bacteria. It can also activate the immune system.

Aspirin should not be taken by young people and children as there can be risks of Reye’s syndrome with it. The breathing can become easier by shrinking swollen mucous membrane in nose with the help of decongestants. It should be used only for two or three days. You can use saline nasal sprays to open breathing passages and it can be used freely. There are not so much effects of the cough preparation. You can use water and fruit juices for minor coughs. The children under 4 should not be given over the counter cough and cold medicines according to FDA. Gargling with salt water can be good for sore throat.

How effective are natural remedies like zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C?

The cold severity and duration can be cut down with the help of zinc nasal sprays. The cold virus can be coated with the zinc sprays and prevent it from attaching with nasal cells. But some studies also show that zinc is not so much effective than placebo. The studies show that Echinacea is not effective for cold prevention. But 120 people with syndromes of cold like taking 20 drops of Echinacea after every two hours had briefer colds than others.

There are limited benefits found in the survey of 65 year’s about the effects of Vitamin C. there are no evidences found about vitamin C for preventing colds but it can shorten the duration of colds. The duration of the cold is shortened if people take vitamin C megadose with 8 grams on the first day of the cold.

You need to have well nourished immune system in order to prevent colds in natural way. There is lots of Vitamin A and C in dark green foods like spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids can be taken from the salmon which can fight inflammation. The immune system can be stimulated with the help of low fat yogurt.

You can also boot your immune system by taking regular exercises like aerobics and walking. There can be less severe symptoms of viruses with the exercises and they can recover more quickly as compared to the less healthy people.

Should I go to the doctor or get an antibiotic?

There is no need of a doctor or any antibiotic in the cold as cold is due to viruses and antibiotics kill bacteria and not viruses. The cold can become a sinus infection. There can be inflammation and bacterial infection in case sinuses become blocked and cannot drain properly. The ear infection can also be due to cold. You may need to get some antibiotic to clear the bacterial infections from you body although sinus and ear infection can improve on their own.

Pain, fever and feeling of fullness in the ears can be some symptoms of the ear infection. Runny or stuffy nose, facial pain and headache can be some symptoms of cold.

How can I prevent a cold?

The flu and viruses can transmit through microscopic droplets from the respiratory system of infected person. These drops are sprayed on nearby surface when the infected person sneezes or coughs. The people sometimes sneeze into their hands without tissue but they can contaminate every surface they touch. You might pick virus by touching that surface. You can infect yourself by rubbing your eyes or nose.

You can protect yourself and prevent cold and flu viruses by washing your hands frequently. You can use alcohol based gel as well. You should cough or sneeze into your hands with tissue and wash your hands afterwards. If you don’t have tissues then turn your head away when coughing or sneezing. You should not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. You should use the shared surface like phones and keyboards after washing it. You should stay away from people when you have cold and flu.