How to Deal With Cold Symptoms

Medical science has yet to find a cure for the common cold. We do, however, know that viruses are known to cause colds. An ordinary cold lasts for about one week with or without treatment. Medications only suppress symptoms of the common cold, they do not cure the cold. If a cold lasts for more than ten days it is important to consult a doctor.

If possible, get bed rest at the first signs of a cold and baby yourself for a few days while your body's immune system fights the virus. While you may not suffer every possible discomfort you may have, often in sequence: sore throat, sneezing, a runny and then stuffy nose, perhaps a slight fever with aching and restlessness. Treat only the symptoms you have, each one as it appears.

Natural remedies are often sufficient and lack the unpleasant side effects of some drugs. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Hot soups and drinks soothe a sore throat as well as gargling with warm salty water. A vaporizer, either the hot-steam or cold-droplet type, will relieve nose or chest congestion.

Aspirin or other analgesics relieve aches and pains, reduce swelling of inflamed tissues, and lower high body temperatures. Analgesics also have a mildly relaxing effect that may lift low spirits and help you to sleep better.

Cold Medications

Before going out to the store and purchasing any over the counter cold "remedy," ask pharmacist what the ingredients are for and whether they are safe for you. Combination cold preparations may contain drugs for relief of cold symptoms you don't have or worse, they may duplicate or conflict with other medication you are taking. Don't take any cold preparation for longer than three days without advice from a physician. Give drugs to children only on a physician's advice.

Because you are most contagious a day or two before you know you have a cold, it is almost impossible to avoid spreading the cold viruses. Once symptoms have appeared, observe the following rules:

- Sneeze, cough and blow your nose into tissues.

- Put used tissues in a paper bag and dispose of it daily

- Wash your hands as often as possible.

- Keep your distance from other people.

- Be sure not to share drinks or eating utensils with others.

- Make sure and get plenty of rest so you will feel better as soon as possible.

- Drink plenty of fluids.