COLD BOTHERING YOU? GET ALL YOUR ANSWERS HERE!

Cold and flu are caused by viruses. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing cold or flu viruses present in their body spread and remain suspended in the air. When another person comes close, they breathe in this air, thus getting infected. The virus can also be spread by contaminated hands, surfaces like doorknobs, and handles, and items like cups, used tissues etc.

Common cold and seasonal influenza outbreaks usually occur during winter in temperate (or “cooler”) climates, like the northern parts of India. But in in tropical (or “warmer”) regions, like the southern parts of India, these outbreaks can be irregular and may occur throughout the year.

You may start feeling a slight sore throat first followed by congestion, sneezing, and coughing. However, these symptoms can vary from person to person. You may also feel low on energy and have mild headache and muscle ache. Your symptoms will peak within the first few days and then gradually start improving.
>> Read more about Symptoms of cold

Here is a table to help you differentiate among flu, common cold, and allergic cold—

After the cold virus attacks, the WBCs (white blood cells that fight infection) in your body release certain chemicals (like cytokines) to combat the virus. These chemicals cause behavioral and mood changes and can also make your muscles ache, leaving you feeling weak.
But don’t worry! This “sickness behavior,” that is, feeling of tiredness, lack of energy, and reduced alertness actually helps your body to focus on meeting the high-energy needs that are required to fight infection and maintain fever.

You will start feeling better in about 7–10 days. Some symptoms, like runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough, may even last beyond that—for up to 14 days—but those symptoms should also be improving over time.

A person having a cold can spread the virus to you through air (via suspended droplets after coughing and sneezing) and close personal contact (like handshake or sharing items, e.g., cups).

You can reduce your risk of getting a cold:

1. By washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. By not touching your face—eyes, nose, and mouth—with unwashed hands
3. By maintaining distance from those who are already sick
4. By not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke

Antibiotics do not work against viruses that cause colds, so they will not help you feel better. When antibiotics are not needed, they won’t help you but can instead cause harm. Antibiotics should be taken only after checking with a doctor.

You should call your doctor if the symptoms are severe or unusual. Seek medical help if you get high fever, chills and severe muscle or body aches or if your child is younger than 3 months of age and has fever or is lethargic.

You should also call your doctor immediately for those at high risk for serious flu complications, which includes—

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 65 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease