Woman sneezing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There is a tickle in my throat, not surprising as it is that time of year: a time when sneezing, coughing and runny noses begin. Other symptoms may include a sore throat, congested nasal passages, watery eyes and mild headaches. The common cold: a viral infection that seems to thrive during the colder months of the year.
The cold is infectious and can be spread by touching your eyes, nose or mouth with fingers that have the virus on them; or spending time in close contact with an infected person. And if you are not getting enough sleep, it may catch you unaware.
I try to stick to certain habits to try avoid catching a cold. I make sure that I get enough sleep so that my body is strong enough to fight against any virus it comes into contact with. I wash my hands thoroughly with plain soap and water after I have touched something that could be covered with virus – especially when I come home after I have been in public areas like on the bus, or a supermarket. I don’t use a anti-bacterial soap wash for two reasons: the cold is a viral infection and using an anti-bacterial chemical on my hands will not kill any virus. Secondly, an anti-bacterial wash kills both the good and bad bacteria. I do not want to destroy the beneficial bacteria that I have living on my hands.
It is suggested that you avoid contact with those who have a cold. However this is not always possible – whether you are working with those infected, or living with them. What I do is not touch my eyes or nose after being in contact with someone who has a cold, throw away tissues after use to prevent the spread of infection, and keep rooms well aired (oh yes, I open a window or two even though it is below zero outside).
Taking antibiotics to cure a cold is ineffective. The common cold is a viral infection and antibiotics are made to work against bacterial infections. When anyone in my family has a cold, we focus on two things: rest and drinking plenty of liquids (that is, water – not coffee or soda). Also, if we do not feel hungry, we do not eat.
This is my family’s strategy with dealing with the common cold. What is yours?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
Good pointers. As soon as symptoms develop, I start my doses of zinc and vitamin C.
The added vitamin C does help. I have found a powdered one which is easy to get my kids to drink – so much easier than the tablets.
If I take any kind of medicine it will be cold FX but most of the time I do the same as you, rest and lots of liquids! And eat lots of soup! Thankfully I have not been sick so far this year or very much last year. Usually around Christmas and new years eve I am sick at either or both of those times but not this year! Great blog!
I have discovered, too, the benefits of ColdFx. Love that it is natural and does not make you feel drowsy.
Great advice Colline. I also keep a window open a bit in cold weather.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
It is always good to let in some fresh air – freshens up the home a little and let out the stale.
Rest, rest, and more rest. Also, lots of citrus! Great post Colline, you cleared up a lot of common misconceptions about colds and viruses.
When people state they have the ‘flu, what they really have is the common cold. The ‘flu is something else, and a lot more debilitating.
I’m not very good about not touching my nose and eyes, but try to be diligent with hand washing. I also get outside in the fresh air every day. (Not really my choice, the dog insists on it!)
Maybe more of us should get dogs – it would force us outside on those cold, winter days!
Great advice. Brandy and hot water with honey, lime and a dash of pepper works wonder too
I remember my mom giving me that same hot toddy without the lime and pepper.
I’m usually pretty lucky about avoiding colds. This year, however, I spent Christmas Day at a house where one of the kids had a cold. 3 of us, that I know of, had a cold by New Years. Like you, Colline, my personal prescription was plenty of fluids, with copious amounts of soup. I survived to tell the tale.
I have heard that soup is good to drink – a delicious way of taking in liquids
Good advice Colline
Thank you
My younger one is having term exams and seems to have caught a bad viral Says her taste buds have gone. What can be done?
Shakti
I would definitely go visit the doctor and have them check her out.
we deal with it by getting on with stuff, we don’t let a cold stop us from our day to day stuff, well, except for my husband, who never gets a cold, but always gets the flu, the man flu we call it.
Perfect strategy! First coming in the door rule at our home: Wash your hands, please.
Perfect! Especially when you have a wash basin nearby!
My husband is in cold right now, hopefully he can kick off the cold for this week.:)
Lots of rest and liquids are sure to help him on his way. Hope he gets better soon.