INTRODUCTION:
The common flu or common cold is also known as an upper respiratory tract infection (URI). This is an acute, self-limited viral infection that doesn’t need any kind of solid medication. This can also involve a lower respiratory tract infection. The symptoms may consist of nasal congestion and a sore throat. Colds are the most prevalent cause of human disease and account for a large amount of absenteeism from school and work. Children are especially vulnerable since they have not yet developed protection against many of the viruses, they practice poor personal hygiene, and they have frequent intimate contact with other children who are exuding viruses.
CAUSES:
Viruses are microscopic, which means that our naked eye is unable to see them. Most of the common flu or cold is due to rhinoviruses, but the Corona virus can also make you sick with the same cold symptoms. Viruses enter the body, and our defensive mechanisms (the immune system) work against them. People with a good immune system remain asymptomatic and even get in touch with viruses. People with low immune systems will develop symptoms of chills, fever, cough, and weakness.
RISK FACTORS:
Colds can strike at any time of year, but some conditions can raise the risk:
- Being a little child or an elderly person
- Weak immune system
- Colds are more common in the winter; thus, seasonal conditions play a role.
- Allergy.
COMPLICATIONS:
common cold can be severe if not treated on time or prolong for more than 6 months. This can be happen with the people of low immune system or the people who are fighting with chronic diseases like AIDS. The complex cold can give you variety of diseases which are as follow.
- Pneumonia
- Acute bronchitis
- Bronchiolitis
- Croup
- Otitis media (middle ear infection)
- Strep throat
- A cold can worsen the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive
TREATMENT:
Prevention
As so many viruses can cause a cold, it is difficult to develop a vaccine.
However, people can take precautions to help prevent catching a cold.
Social distance:
Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a cold because through cough and touch these viruses can transmit from one human to another.
Healthy diet:
a healthful and varied diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Use tissues:
Always sneezing or coughing into a tissue, then discarding the tissue carefully and washing your hands at once.
If there is no tissue available, coughing or sneezing into the upper shirt sleeve, covering the nose and mouth completely.
Washing hands regularly with soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Cleanliness:
Keeping surfaces at work and in the home.
Avoiding touching the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.
SYMPTOMS:
A cold can be caused by a variety of viruses, and the human body can never develop immunity to them all. This is why colds are so common and frequently reoccur. When a person contracts a cold virus, their immune system attempts to combat it. This results in the symptoms we recognize as a cold.
The following are some of the more common symptoms:
- Throat pain
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Runny or clogged nose
- Migraine
Among the more unusual symptoms are:
- Muscular pain
- Shivering
- Pinkeye
- Weakness
- Low appetite
- Fatigue
People who have a weaker immune system are more likely to get severe symptoms or a secondary infection, such as pneumonia. If a person experiences more severe symptoms, they should seek medical attention.
Treatment
There is no cure for a cold, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Here are some tips:
Hydrate yourself:
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. High fluids will make your immune system strong.
Get plenty of rest: Rest should be your priority. It is suggested to have plenty of water and rest which helps human to be active and get rid of flu.
Use over-the-counter medications:
These use to manage pain and discomfort.
Steam:
Inhale steam, which may help relieve nasal congestion.
Gargle:
Gargle saltwater for a sore throat.
CONCLUSION:
People experience colds more often because viruses are ubiquitous and present everywhere. We unintentionally got cold from the other people. A cold is not usually serious, but if not treated well, it can be serious and lead to complications in senior citizens. People with weak immune systems are at risk of the common cold. There is no cure for this; all you need to do is wash your hands properly, which breaks the chain of transmission. You need to seek advice when your cold doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medication and other preventive measures. Flu vaccines can help people improve their immune systems.
