THINGS TO EAT AND AVOID IF YOU HAVE A COLD

Cold virus, which can also be called “common cold”, is a viral infection caused by different types of viruses that primarily affects the upper respiratory system which are highly contagious and can spread from one person to the other. It is an infection of the nose, sinuses, throat and windpipe.

The symptoms of a cold infection includes sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, sneezing, stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, watery eyes and other symptoms. These symptoms usually start 2 to 3 days after exposure with the virus, although it could take up to a week.

The cold virus can be spread through an air-borne respiratory droplets. It is released into the air when an infected person courts, sneezes, or talks which can easily be inhaled by others, therefore allowing the virus enter their respiratory system and cause an infection. It can also be spread by touching a contaminated surface such as doorknobs, phones, tables etc. and then touch the nose, eyes or mouth before washing hands.  

The transmission of the cold virus occurs through tiny droplets in the air that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can be inhaled by others, allowing the virus to enter their respiratory system and cause an infection. The virus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs or phones, and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth. This infection can also be contacted through saliva exchange (either by kissing or sharing drinks) and skin to skin contacts (handshakes of hugs).

Although, a cold virus is a mild illness, it can still cause discomfort and inconvenience for you. It is important to know that there is no cure for cold – meaning no antibiotics can cure itas antibiotic only target bacterial infections.. It will get better on its own without antibiotics. Only focus on relieving the symptoms and allow your body immune system fight off the infection naturally. Prevention is the only best way in curtailing the spread of the cold virus. First, learn good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water, learn to avoid close contact with infected individuals no matter how dear they are to you, learn to cover your mouth and nose when coughingor sneezing, so as to prevent the spread of the virus. When you have a cold, a sore throat can last for 8 days, a headache could last for 9 to 10 days, congestion, runny nose, cough could last for more than 14 days but these symptoms improves over time.

When to see medical help

It is important to seek medical help if you have: trouble breathing or fast breathing, dehydration, fever that lasts longer than 4 days, symptoms that lasts longer than 20 days without improvement, symptoms like cough or fever that improves but then returns or worsens, this is to mention but a few. If any of these persists, it is advisable to seek medical help.

Cold and Flu

Cold and flu most times are often mistaken because of their similarities. While both are caused by viruses, they have different peculiarities that sets them apart. One thing that sets them art is the fact that cold has milder symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, periodic headache and sore throat while influenza also called flu has more intense symptoms like high fever, extreme fatigue and a persistent dry cough.

Another difference is in the outset and length of the illness. A cold stats small with symptoms  worsening slowly over a few days before reaching it’s peak. This usually lasts for about a week, with symptoms gradually lessening. But the flu comes suddenly and aggressively. Flu symptoms, starts instantly and aggressively. Symptoms appears once and intensifies within hours, leaving a person feeling seriously sick. Flu usually lasts for 1-2 weeks with fatigue and weakness lasting even longer. Flu symptoms often leaves a person bedridden and unable to carry out their daily activities.

Flu can lead to more severe complications unlike cold which is a mild sickness and limited to sinus congestion or a secondary bacteria inflection. Bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), pneumonia (consolidation of the lungs), Meningitis (deadly inflammation of the meninges – layers which surround the brain and spinal cord) and worsening of already existing chronic medical conditions are very often observed in people with influenza. Complications from flu could be life-threatening especially for young children, the elderly and individuals with weak immune system.

The availability of preventative treatments also sets cold and fluapart. Unlike cold that there isn’t any vaccine or drugs for it because it is caused by various viruses , vaccines are available for flu for the protection against the common strains of the virus. Although, this is not to say there are vaccines for the cure of flu,no, but there are antiviral medicines to help reduce the severity and durations of the symptoms if taken within the first 48 hours the symptoms began.

Things to eat if you have a cold

When a person is suffering from a cold virus, it is needful to prioritize your nutritional intake because that is the only way your immune system can support and aid in recovery. Consuming certain foods can relieve symptoms and promote well-being. Some options to incorporate into your diet are:

Things to avoid if you have a cold

One of the things to avoid during cold is antibiotics, smoking, alcohol, sugary drinks and coffee, to name but a few.

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