Written by Common cold as it is popularly known is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract especially the nose and throat. The causes of a common cold are viruses. There are over 200 strains of virus causing cold with the most common being the enterovirs and the rhinovirs. The viruses are transmitted through contact with the infected person either through bodily fluids such as saliva, nasal secretions and sweat or through touching surfaces that are infected. The best way to reduce your chances of catching a cold is through regular handwashing and staying away from infected persons. The symptoms of a cold usually go away on their own in a week or so. However, you can try some effective DIY home remedies for cold and cough to reduce the symptoms and speed up the recovery
Symptoms include
sore throat
stuffy/runny nose
sneezing
coughing
headache
loss of appetite
loss of taste and/or smell.
These symptoms may vary from one person to another depending on the strenght of the immune system, however they are usually worse in people who have other ailments.
The virus is air-borne and is easily spread from person to person or through objects in the environment.
Children experience more cold than adults (6-8 episodes) because their immune system is not fully developed but an adult is estimated to have 2-4 cold episodes in a year.
The best way to prevent common cold is through regular handwashing and maintaining good personal hygiene.
EFFECTIVE DIY HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON COLD AND COUGH
Here are some easy but effective home remedies to relieve cold and cough. They are made from regular inexpensive, ingredients and spices found in the kitchen.
Honey –
Preparation and use:
1. Take 1 teaspoon of honey twice daily.
2. Add 1teaspoon honey to a glass of warm water and drink.
Note: honey should not be given to children below 1year to prevent botulism.
Red onion –
Preaparation and use:
1. Grate the onions to extract the juice then mix the onion juice with honey.
Take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times daily.
Ginger tea –
Preparation and use:
1. Grate fresh ginger and boil in water, allow to cool a bit, add honey (optional) and drink.
2. Another way to use ginger is to cut the ginger into small pieces, sprinkle salt on it and chew.
Pineapple juice –
Preparation and use:
1. Take a glass of pineapple juice 2-3times daily. This can be taken alone or mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper and ginger powder.
2. Eating the fresh pineapple also helps to relieve cough.
Turmeric Milk –
Preparation and use:
1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk, stir and drink.
Cinnamon tea –
Preparation and use:
1. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder or cinnamon sticks to a glass of boiled water. Allow to steep for about 5minutes, sieve the tea and drink. You may add honey.
For the children, a nasal aspirator can be used to decongest the nostrils. They should also take lots of fluids especially water and get enough rest to give the body time to recuperate.
If the cough persists for over a week with other symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath and greenish or bloody mucus then it’s a sign that there may be infection or an underlying sickness. You should consult your doctor for proper medical care.
