Common cold is such a regular ailment in our lives; we are trying to find ways of dealing with it. While some would say don’t come near me, others would say wash your hands. Some body might pop in vitamin C tablets to combat it, while others would reach for hot chicken soup.

Honey is supposed to be good, as a preventive, so are leaves of plants, like basil. Meanwhile, a combination of approaches –some recently discovered and others centuries old- can help you prevent colds and minimize the misery.

The common cold can be caused by any of the 200 viruses that are always around. They attack the receptors in our throat and nose. Our nasal pharynx is lined with mucus that traps viruses and carries them to the stomach. In our stomach the powerful digestive acids destroy them. Others are made inactive by antibodies on our mucous membranes.

But sometimes the viruses outwit the body’s defences. Then they infect nose and throat cells and use them to multiply. Many symptoms of cold are not due to the attack by the virus, but by the body’s battle against it. When there is an infection, our body’s defense mechanisms activate pain nerves causng a sore throat. Later, the extra fluid drawn to the throat to fight the infection, causes congestion. Some fluids leak and results in runny nose. If the battle continues the “cold war” may affect the bronchial tube and then we start coughing.

Kids are carriers:

The risk of catching cold is highest, when one is young. Each cold confers immunity to the virus that caused it-lifetime immunity for some colds, a few years for others. For children such immunity is not possible.

Children also can be somewhat careless about personal hygiene. When they touch their noses their fingers pick up the virus. As they touh the door knobs, telephones, counter tops, they deposit the virus, which can survive for several hours. When others come in contact with the contaminated surfaces the virus is transferred to their fingers. When the unsuspecting victim touches his nose or rubs his eyes it gets transferred to him.

Contrary to popular belief, scientists have known that being cold has nothing to do with  catching cold.Wearing wet clothes or wet socks is not going to make one catch cold. But the effect of chilling on elderly, young and people with weak immune system is always harmful, so we need to take precautions against getting wet.

Preventions:

Colds can be prevented if we use disinfectants on frequently used surfaces. Proper ventilation can prevent transmission of cold virus through air. Keep away from people who are coughing and sneezing. Washing hands reduces the risk of contamination. Disposable tissues are always better than cloth handkerchief. Acloth handkerchief recontaminates your fingers every time you use it. Moderate exercise like walking helps in enhancing the immune system to fight against the cold. Strenuous execises may depress the immune system, and make the person more prone to affected by the cold virus.

How to cope?

There are hundreds of medicines available in the market claiming to relieve cold symptoms. These medicines do relieve symptoms for adults, but for children, who are aged below 5, fluids and vaporisers are better, they relieve congestion and soothe the respiratory tract. But if a child develops fever then one must seek medical help.

Intake of vitamin C on a regular basis has been found to minimize the effect of the cold virus. Chicken soup has been a folk remedy for centuries.When steam from chicken soup is inhaled; it clears the nasal congestion and gives some relief.

There is great wisdom in the adviceto have plenty of fluids when you have a cold. Doctors recommend six to eight glasses of water, juice, tea, or brothdaily to help relieve symptoms and replace lost fluids in case of fever.

Close human contact spreads colds, but when you arelaid down by cold, tender loving care not only soothes the soul, it might also speed up your recovery.