AN unmistakable tickle in the throat, watery eyes, and a sinking feeling – we’re all familiar with the telltale signs of a looming cold.
Adults suffer from colds on average two or three times a year – and kids get them even more. Is there any way to stop them?
1
What are the symptoms of a cold?
A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways.
Colds usually clear up within a week or two, and you don’t tend to need to see a doctor.
Main symptoms include a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and a cough.
A person becomes contagious from a few days before their symptoms begin until all of their symptoms have gone – around two weeks in total.
Can you stop a cold?
When it’s on its way, there’s precious little you can do to prevent it from blowing into a full-blown affair.
According to NHS Scotland, vitamin C, zinc and garlic supplements are believed to improve your risk of not catching a cold, but further research is needed to prove this.
What you can do is to slow down, get plenty of rest and start looking after your body – getting a headstart on the recovery process.
You should also avoid cold and damp environments, and keep dry and warm.
What helps get rid of a cold?
Sleep and fluids seem to be the top tips from medics when it comes to getting rid of a cold.
NHS Scotland suggests:
- resting, drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthily
- taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to reduce any fever or discomfort
- using decongestant sprays or tablets to relieve a blocked nose
- trying remedies such as gargling salt water and sucking on menthol sweets to ease a sore throat.
How can you stop a cold from spreading?
Advice from the NHS recommends you:
- wash your hands regularly, particularly before touching your nose or mouth and before handling food
- always sneeze and cough into tissues – this will help prevent the virus-containing droplets from your nose and mouth entering the air, where they can infect others; you should throw away used tissues immediately and wash your hands
- clean surfaces regularly to keep them free of germs
- use your own cup, plates, cutlery and kitchen utensils
- don’t share towels or toys with someone who has a cold
For more advice, head to the NHS England site here.
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