Cold and cough

Cold and cough

 introduction

A cold is a viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways, which is usually not serious. This is very common and gets better on its own within a week or two in most cases.

The main symptoms of a cold are:

Soar throat

blocked or runny nose

Sneeze

Cough

More severe symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches, although these are more common than those of the flu.

What to do

There is no cure for a cold, but you can take care of yourself by following these things:

resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating healthy

taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever or discomfort

using decongestant sprays or pills to open up a blocked nose

gargling with salt water and sucking on menthol tablets

Many pain relievers and decongestants are available at pharmacies without a prescription. They are generally safe for older children and adults to take, but are not suitable for infants, young children, pregnant women, and people who have other health problems. Not even for those who are taking some other drugs. If you are in doubt, talk to your pharmacist.

Keep reading for information about cold treatment and colds in young children.

when to consult a doctor

If you or your child has a cold, there should usually be no need to see a doctor as it usually gets better within a week or two.

You need to contact your doctor if:

your symptoms last more than three weeks

your symptoms suddenly get worse

you are having trouble breathing

You have problems with a cold, such as chest pain or bloody sputum when coughing.

If you are concerned about your child or an elderly person, or if you have a chronic illness such as lung disease, it is best to consult a doctor.

How does a cold spread?

In general, a person becomes contagious a few days before their symptoms begin and stays there until all of their symptoms are gone. This means that most people can infect others for about two weeks.

You can get a virus infection from an infectious person in these ways:

touching an object or surface contaminated with infected droplets and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

touching the skin of someone who has infected droplets on their skin and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

Inhaling droplets containing the cold virus while inhaling (inhaling) – spread into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes

Colds are easily transmitted between groups of people in constant contact, such as those in the family or children attending school and daycare. These infections tend to occur over a period of centuries, although it is not clear why.

Many different viruses can cause a cold, so it's possible to get a cold multiple times, from infection with different viruses.

How to stop the spread of cold and flu?

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of a cold. For example:

wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your nose or mouth and before touching food

Always sneeze and cough into tissue paper – this can prevent virus-containing droplets from entering the air through your nose and mouth, where they can infect others; You should immediately throw away the used tissue paper and wash your hands

clean surfaces regularly use your own cups, plates, cutlery and kitchen utensils to keep them free of germs

Do not share towels or toys with someone who has a cold

It has been suggested that vitamin C, zinc and garlic supplements may reduce your chances of getting a cold, but there is currently not enough strong evidence to support this.

Read more about preventing colds and the flu.

symptoms of cold

Symptoms usually develop within a few days of being infected.

Main symptoms include:

sore throat

closed and runny nose

Sneeze

Cough

heavy sound

feeling generally unwell

Symptoms that are not common:

Fever - usually 37-39 °C body temperature (98.6-102.2 Fahrenheit)

Headache

Earache – Severe earache can be a sign of a middle ear infection

muscle pain

loss of taste and smell

mild burning in the eyes

Feeling of pressure in ears and face

Symptoms are usually most bothersome during the first two to three days, after which they gradually begin to improve. In adults and older children, they usually last 7 to 10 days, but can also last longer. In particular, the cough can last for two or three weeks.

Colds tend to last longer in young children who are less than five years old, usually about 10 to 14 days.

Is this a cold or the flu?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether you have a cold or something more serious like the flu, as the symptoms can be very similar.

The main differences are:

flu symptoms

early onset of symptoms

Headache, fever and muscle aches

make it difficult to carry on with your normal activities because you feel unwell

symptoms of cold

to be slow

primarily affecting your nose and throat

Not to be serious, your routine and work are not affected.

when to see a doctor

Colds are usually mild and short-lived, so you usually don't need a doctor. All you need to do is rest at home and take pain relievers and other measures to ease your symptoms until you feel better.

If you want advice on how to treat a cold at home, talk to a pharmacist. You need to see a doctor only if:

your symptoms last for more than three weeks

your symptoms suddenly get worse

you are having trouble breathing

You develop a serious symptom of a cold, such as chest pain or coughing up blood with mucus

If you are concerned about your child or an elderly person, or if you have a chronic illness such as a lung disease, a doctor should be consulted.

 cold treatment

You can get rid of cold symptoms on your own by following some simple things. You will usually start to feel better within 7 to 10 days.

general advice

Until you feel better, you can keep these things in mind:

Drink plenty of fluids to make up for the dehydration caused by sweating and runny nose

get plenty of rest

Eat nutritious food – A low-fat, fiber-rich diet is recommended, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables.

You may have a loss of appetite when you have a cold. This is completely normal and only happens for a few days. If you're not hungry, don't force eat.

You can try some of the medicines and remedies mentioned below to get relief from the symptoms:

Cold medicine available without a prescription

The main medicines used to treat the symptoms of a cold are:

pain relievers – such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, which can help relieve pain and fever

decongestants – which can help relieve a stuffy nose

Cold Medicines - Medicines made from a combination of pain relievers and decongestants

These medicines are available in pharmacies without a prescription. These medicines are generally safe for older children and adults to take, but they are not suitable for infants, young children, pregnant women, people with certain other diseases, and people taking certain other types of medicines.

Always read the medicine patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and follow the recommended dosage regimen. If you are unable to decide which treatment is appropriate for you or your child, speak with a pharmacist for advice.

Below is more information about cold medicines.

Pain killers

Paracetamol and ibuprofen can also work to reduce fever and act as pain relievers. Aspirin may also help, but it is not usually given for colds and should never be given to children under the age of 16.

If your child has a cold, buy paracetamol and ibuprofen for children. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions to make sure the correct dosage is given.

In general, it is not necessary to take both ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time in cold and use of both together in children should be avoided as it can be unsafe.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are also given as cold medicines. If you are taking a pain reliever and wish to take a cold medicine, first refer to the patient information leaflet and consult with your pharmacist or doctor, so that you do not exceed the recommended dose.

If you are pregnant, paracetamol is a better option for treating mild to moderate pain and fever.

decongestants

 Decongestants can be taken by mouth (oral decongestants) or as drops or through a spray in your nose. They can make breathing easier by reducing the swelling inside your nose.

However, they are usually only effective for a short period and if used for more than a week, they can make your blocked nose worse.

Decongestants are not recommended for children under six years of age and children under 12 years of age, unless otherwise advised by a pharmacist or doctor. They are also not suitable for people who have other diseases or who are taking certain other medicines.

other measures

The remedies below may help you feel better.

gargles and menthol pills

Some people gargle with salt water and suck on sweet menthol tablets to relieve sore throat and blocked nose.

use of vaporub

Applying VapoRub can help babies and young children breathe easier when they have a cold. Apply it on your baby's chest and back. Do not apply it to their nostrils as it can cause irritation and difficulty in breathing.

Nasal Saline Drops

Nasal saline (salt water) drops can help relieve a stuffy nose in infants and young children.

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Some evidence suggests that taking zinc supplements within a day of symptom onset will result in relief and a reduction in the severity of symptoms.

However, there is currently little evidence to suggest that taking vitamin C supplements for a cold is beneficial.

Treatments not recommended The following treatments are generally not recommended for the treatment of a cold because there is no strong evidence that they are effective, and they can cause unpleasant side effects:

antihistamines

cough treatment or syrup

Antibiotics – these are only effective against bacteria (colds are caused by viruses)

Additional and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments such as echinacea and Chinese herbal medicine

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