When you catch a cold or flu, it means that your immunity is weakened to the point where you are vulnerable to illness. Viruses like influenza or adenovirus cause most of these diseases. Moreover, bacteria like strep throat (streptococcal infection) can also cause some of these illnesses. If you experience having an infection, look for effective cold and flu remedies that can help get rid of the uneasiness.
Now that we know what cold and flu are, let us explore how they spread. The common cold spreads through droplets from the nose and mouth via breathing, talking, and coughing. However, people can also get the disease through a kiss from a person with a cold.
How does cold and flu spread?
When an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, the infection is spread to the air. When another person inhales this air with these droplets, he or she can catch a cold or flu. The droplets are so tiny that they do not even settle on furniture and other objects. The virus will die in no time due to a lack of nutrients and moisture, but it can survive up to several hours in the right environment.
Therefore, what we need to do is not only to avoid direct contact with an infected person but also to make sure our surroundings (especially our hands) are clean and dry. Consult with a doctor for effective cold and flu remedies if you experience that you are caught with the disease.
A specific virus particle needs around 7 molecules of water to meet its receptor to infect another person. The spread may take place with the touch of an infected person or after touching the items that the person has come in contact with like a doorknob or keyboard.
For flu viruses, they need to be able to live for around 8 hours in human mucus before they are infectious again.
What are some common symptoms of cold and flu?
Many symptoms accompany these infections. However, the most frequent indications are-
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Congestion in the chest and head
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
The signs and symptoms usually take place within 1-3 days after you come in contact with the virus.
What causes these infections?
The cause of the common cold and flu are viruses. Therefore, there is no one-prescription medicine that can cure you without any side effects. Antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection because they only kill bacteria, and since viruses are not alive, they are even more resistant to these types of medicines.
These infections are usually most severe in infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. They can also be dangerous for people with heart disease or respiratory illness because they can worsen their conditions. Nevertheless, the good news is that most cases of colds and flu are mild and can be treated at home.
What are well-working cold and flu remedies?
Some of the effective treatments can be-
• Getting adequate rest
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Eating healthy foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables)
• Taking natural remedies that boost immunity like vitamin C, Echinacea, garlic, ginseng root extract, and zinc lozenges
• Doing regular exercises
All these remedies can assist in easing your symptoms and cutting down the length of an illness. These strategies will also make you feel better faster and lessen the chance of infection transmission to other people.
Other helpful initiatives are-
• Maintain Hygiene
The best way to prevent yourself from catching a cold or flu is by practicing good hygiene. It includes avoiding touching your hands to your face, washing your hands often, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Maintain distance from public
Staying active in public can be difficult if you have a cold because of the cough. If you have one, don’t go out in crowded places when you are sick. Flu viruses spread much easier than cold viruses do. Therefore, you could infect many people in just one day.
• Observe the symptoms carefully
The symptoms of these infections can be similar to that of the stomach flu. The stomach flu usually has 3-5 days of severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. If you have these symptoms, especially if fever or chills accompany them, you have likely become ill because of your stomach. You should see a doctor find out what is causing these symptoms for the best cold and flu remedies.
How can you prevent these illnesses?
Vaccinations can put off the risk of the flu. Moreover, some pieces of research also show that they could also help to prevent colds as well. This is why doctors recommend yearly vaccination for those who are 60 and older and people with certain health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or lung diseases. People who live in communities where many people are at risk for complications from the flu (e.g., long-term care facilities and nursing homes) should also go for vaccinations.
If you haven’t had a vaccine and want one to help prevent colds, it is still possible to get the shot even if it isn’t flu season.
Are there any natural remedies?
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Eating well
• Avoiding certain foods (e.g., caffeine )
• Getting adequate exercise
• Relaxation practices
These tips are excellent ways to boost your immunity. Sometimes during the cold and flu season, it is helpful to get extra rest, take vitamins/minerals, drink fluids, breathe in the steam to ease congestion, gargle saltwater and drink hot beverages.
Some people swear by natural remedies like Echinacea, vitamin C, garlic, ginseng root extract, zinc lozenges, and goldenseal. These can be taken as teas or supplements (e.g., capsules) to help reduce the duration of your infection. However, a pharmacist can help you decide which natural treatments are best for your symptoms.
What are the best cold and flu remedies for infants?
Antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for some people with severe colds and the flu, especially if they have a lung infection like pneumonia. People with cystic fibrosis are at risk for this type of pneumonia.
The following signs may indicate that you have a serious illness-
• Stomach flu
• Vomiting or diarrhea that does not stop after three days
• A fever over 101 degrees F
• Persistent headache
• Ear pain
• Severe cough
Is there a cure for cold?
The only way to prevent yourself from catching a cold or flu is by maintaining your immunity. You can use prescription medicines to relieve some of your symptoms and shorten the duration of the infection if you have caught either of the illnesses. However, you need to understand that taking these medicines does not cure you. The cold and flu remedies just help you to feel better or less bad.
