More about Colds and Ways to Fight the Common Cold - By: Eloisa Roberts

While you hardly notice someone sneezing, the virus can transfer to you until you realize you already have colds. The common cold is actually most contagious since they easily spread from one individual to another. It is called this way because it is most recurring and common of all diseases.

Colds are so common that preschool and elementary children can have 3 to 12 colds per year while adults can have 2 to 4. It usually lasts for 5 to 10 days. Bringing sneezes, annoying cough and a sore throat, colds can be caught from one time to another.

Rhinoviruses are the culprit for most colds. It is present as invisible droplets in the air or in the things that we touch. Colds occur when the protective linings of our throat and nose are actually infiltrated by 100 rhinoviruses or more – causing our body’s immune system to react. The result is headache, sore throat and difficulty in breathing through the nose. Common colds are manifested by sneezing, watery and red eyes as well as a runny nose and sometimes, coughs, headaches and fever.

Indoor and outdoor dry air can lower our body’s resistance to the cold virus. Worse is direct and passive smoking. Smokers are more to catch colds and are most likely to develop severe symptoms that can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis.

Prevention is always better than cure. To prevent your body from catching colds, maintain a good hygiene and get enough rest. Boost your immune system with vitamins; especially Vitamin C. Foods rich in vitamin C are helpful in preventing common colds. Strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomato and pineapple along with banana, cooked broccoli, cooked cabbage and more can be helpful to fighting the common cold.

Otherwise, you are more likely to get the virus. When you have the colds already, take a lot of fluids and much rest. Antiviral drugs are not necessary. Medications are usually for curing runny noses and other associated symptoms.

Herbal alternatives are an amazing option. Garlic and onions, for example, are very effective in the treatment of colds. They have anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection and thus, prevent colds. They contain several helpful compounds including allicin, one of the most potent antibiotics.

Ginger is another antiviral for common colds. It is pain relieving, antioxidant and antiseptic. It is also very effective in treating the common cold, sore throats and other mucus membrane inflammations. Ginger reduces fever and pain as well as it encourages rest because it has a mild sedative. Nature is rich in these natural vitamins and herbs that can help us stay healthy and disease-free.

About the Author

Research more about colds and the common cold at HouseAndHome.Org.

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