When you feel the weather getting colder, and see that first snow fall of the year, feelings of remorse over lost summer days flood over you as you settle in to another winter season. You turn on your heater for the first time in months, and prep your wardrobe in anticipation of the colder weather ahead. But alas you are reminded of all the festive times you will soon be having. Winter activates, holiday parties, and family get-togethers are just some of the events to look forward to. You feel relieved that winter doesn’t mean hibernation by any means, and you plan on making the most out of it. But you notice that your throat feels a bit scratchy and you have been blowing your nose more frequently in the last day or two. You brush it off as nothing and go about your day, until you the next morning when you are too tired to get out of bed, despite getting your full eight hours, and you reluctantly admit, you’re sick.
Nobody likes getting a cold, it gets in the way of plans, people are repulsed by you and most of all you feel miserable. To combat the symptoms of the common cold, it’s better to be more informed about what they are, and how we contract them.
What are colds and how do we get them?
Contrary to popular belief, being out in the cold without proper attire does not necessarily get you sick (1). The common cold is actually caused by viruses; in fact there are about 200 different kinds of cold viruses that affect humans. The most common one, Rhinovirus attributes to approximately 40% of the colds we get (2). So the reason we get sick during cold months is more likely due to us staying indoors more often; which promotes spreading of the virus to others.
Colds can manifest in many different presentations, the most common being:
- Runny nose/Congestion
- Sore throat
- Cough/Mucus production
- Sneezing
- Mild fever
These symptoms usually take 1-3 days to develop, and may last for up to 2 weeks on average (1). A high fever is not a typical symptom of the common cold, as it more commonly seen with the flu, which may have similar symptoms of a cold but to a higher degree, causing you to feel like you have the worst cold you’ve ever had, with muscle aches and a extreme fatigue. The flu, also caused by a virus, can be life threatening in specific populations, such as in infants and the elderly, and getting a seasonal flu shot is considered the best defense(3).
What are the best ways to fight colds ?
Since the common cold is caused by viruses, antibiotics are ineffective, as they only kill bacteria (4). So with that in mind, the only option with have left is neutralizing symptoms we develop, and letting the immune system do its job to kill the virus with time.
Staying Hydrated. Drinking fluids helps loosen the mucus causing congestion, and keeps you hydrated, improving overall mood. Water is best, and avoiding alcohol and coffee is recommended as they cause dehydration.
Increasing Room Humidity. This can be achieved with an air humidifier, and can help relieve congestion by increasing the moisture in your home. A menthol rub can also be added to help soothe the sinuses.
Over the counter (OTC) remedies. These are medications you can find at your local drug store, such as cold syrup or cough drops. With the active ingredients commonly being Diphenhydramine; to reduce runny noses, Acetaminophen; a pain and fever reducer, and dextromethorphan; an antitussive or cough reliever.
Rest. This is something we often neglect, and may be difficult to achieve with the symptoms mentioned above preventing quality sleep. Luckily with OTC medication this can be remedied.
Getting a cold from time to time is an inconvenient truth we all have to live with, but with proper knowledge can be made more manageable. Prevention is a key factor, as it is our immune system doing the bulk of the work getting rid of the virus. Living a healthy lifestyle bolsters the immune system, and washing your hands clean of germs on a regular basis goes a long way in preventing the spread and contraction of the common cold virus, helping keep you healthy; making the most out of these colder months.
