It’s that time of year again - cold and flu season. This week we will concentrate on colds. Colds are caused by viruses. There are more than 200 different viruses that can produce the common cold. The most common ones are the rhinovirus and coronavirus.
Over the years the impact of cold weather on colds has been studied repeatedly. Research shows that weather conditions or getting chilled or overheated does not affect either the development or severity of colds. However, the weather may play an indirect role. For example, most viruses that cause colds survive better when humidity is low, which happens most often in the fall and winter. Cold weather may also promote drying of the nasal membranes, making them more vulnerable to infection. In addition, people tend to spend more time socializing indoors when the weather is cold, thus increasing the chance for exposure to cold viruses.
Factors other than weather that may make you more prone to pick up a cold virus including psychological stress, which can lower overall immunity and allergies that may interfere with the normal defenses in the nose and throat.
Cold symptoms include: sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, sometimes a low-grade fever (below 101 degrees F) and cough. Common cold symptoms usually start between 1- 3 days after you have been infected by a cold virus. Typically, they last for about 3 - 7 days. You may feel congested for a week or more. During the first 3 days that you have cold symptoms, you are contagious which means you can pass the cold virus to those you come in contact with.
Cold Prevention:
• Wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap, especially when you have been in public areas or around someone who has a cold.
• Avoid touching your nose or eyes - this may transmit respiratory secretions picked up from surfaces or the air to vulnerable tissues).
• When possible, avoid people who have a cold until the fifth day of their illness, when they should be less infectious.
If you have a cold:
• Get plenty of rest - lack of sleep and too much stress can make your body weak.
• Stay hydrated - which keeps nasal passages moist, making them better defenders against viruses.
Homemade Remedies for Cold and Flu:
• Garlic (Allium sativum): One of the best home remedy for colds is to eat two cloves of raw garlic at the onset of symptoms. Chop or crush the cloves to release the allicin (a sulfur compound with strong antibiotic effects) and put them on a sandwich or swallow them in apple sauce. If you don't chew, the garlic won't stay on your breath.
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and sage (Salvia officinalis): Inhaling steam that contains eucalyptus or sage is an excellent remedy for respiratory problems, including chest congestion, bronchitis, bronchial cough and sinusitis. The aromatic oils from eucalyptus and sage leaves help halt bacterial growth and reduce the risk of getting secondary infections. Do the steam routine at least twice a day. As a variation, try several crushed garlic cloves in the water. If you have a sore throat, drink sage tea.
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Ginger root tea helps relieve head and chest congestion while staving off chills. Grate a one-inch piece of peeled ginger root. Place it in a pot with two cups of water, bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for five minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and simmer one minute more. Remove from heat. Add two tablespoons fresh lemon juice, one or two cloves of mashed garlic and honey to taste. Let cool slightly, and strain if you wish.
