Colds: Symptoms, Causes, and Ways to Cure It

Colds are a type of disease that can be experienced by anyone, both children and adults. This is because a cold is caused by a virus so that it can attack the body easily, especially when the immune system is weak. Well, for that, for those of you who are looking for information about colds, you come to the right site.

On this occasion, we will review in full about colds. We are starting from the difference in flu and colds, symptoms of a cold, the type of runny nose, to how to cure a cold. No need to linger, consider the following review.

Difference Between Flu and Cold

At least there are more than 200 different viruses that can trigger chills. It's just that the virus that causes the most common cold is rhinovirus. Symptoms of colds caused by this virus are sneezing until the nose runny. But keep in mind, colds and flu (influenza) are a different type of disease. Symptoms caused by influenza viruses are more severe such as fever, pain, lethargy, and headache.

Quoting from the Panadol site, flu or influenza is a type of respiratory disease caused by a virus. There are many types of viruses that cause flu. But generally, the virus does attack the respiratory tract including the nose and throat.

For the most fundamental differences in flu and colds, flu symptoms last longer when compared to colds. Also, flu is synonymous with chills, fever, and muscle aches. While colds only make mild fever and cause a runny nose.

In some cases, flu can appear for 5 to 7 days while colds are faster than that. The easiest way to cure a cold or cold is to drink plenty of fluids and take a break.

Symptoms of Colds

As with other diseases in general, colds also have symptoms. Every sign of an illness is the response of the body's immune system when a virus or bacteria attack the body. Then what are the symptoms of a cold? Are as follows:

1. Coughing

This is the most common symptom of a cold. As information, coughing is not a disease but is the body's defense mechanism against virus attacks. Generally, coughing is a reaction to irritation in the throat. However, coughing is not the most common symptom of a cold. There are also other problems that cause coughing, such as dust, allergies, and so on.

2. Sneezing

The next cold symptom is sneezing. According to Wikipedia, sneezing is the release of air hard through the mouth and nose. The airspeed is around 70m / sec or 250km / hour. Like coughing, sneezing is also an adjustment reaction to get rid of snot in which there are foreign particles. In cold symptoms, sneezing occurs because of the condition of the body that has been infected by certain viruses that cause colds.

3. Throat Pain

The next cold symptom is a sore throat. The reason is that the cold virus makes the throat part irritated.

4. Nasal Congestion

Shortness of the nose or better known as nasal congestion is a symptom of a subsequent cold. This condition will make people with chills feel uncomfortable.

5. Fever

The most common symptom of a cold is a fever. Fever is a condition where the body temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius. Things that cause fever are viral infections and inflammation. Besides, fever is also a sign that white blood cells are working against viruses and bacteria that try to infect the body.

Causes Of Prolonged Colds That Must Be Watched Out

Well, the thing to watch out for is when the runny nose continues and doesn't heal. Usually, a prolonged runny nose is accompanied by a stuffy nose. Unlike the common cold, prolonged colds are caused by several things. If left unchecked, prolonged cold can be dangerous for the body.

1. Nasal Polyps

The first cause of a runny nose is nasal polyps. Nasal polyps occur when cells grow from the nasal mucosa. As information, the mucosa is a part of the layer with a very wet and slimy surface. Its function is to protect the inside of the nose and moisturize the air inhaled through the nose.

When mucous tissue grows excessively in the nasal polyps, inflammation will occur, either due to infection or allergies. As a result, the nasal mucosa swells and becomes red and produces fluid in the form of snot that never stops.

2. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the next cause of a runny nose. Sinusitis is inflammation that occurs in the tissue lining the sinus cavity. Generally, this condition occurs when an air-filled sinus is filled with fluid, causing a blockage.

This condition causes germs and bacteria to thrive in the nose. When you have a cold accompanied by sinusitis, you will feel tremendous pain in the eyes and nose. Also, the nose will produce mucus with a yellowish color.

3. Allergy

Allergies can also trigger prolonged colds. Some things that can trigger allergies are animal hair, dust, pollen, and mites. When allergies trigger prolonged cold sufferers, the body reacts to counteract the adverse effects of these allergens.

4. Non-Allergic Rhinitis

The cause of a prolonged cold is the next non-allergic rhinitis. This is inflammation that occurs in the inner nose. The reason is that there are disorders of the nasal nerves. The symptoms that appear generally are nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.

As information, non-allergic rhinitis will make the blood vessels in the nose widen. Under normal conditions, when the body breathes air, the blood vessels in the trunk will narrow so that air circulation runs smoothly. Whereas when a cold has developed due to non-allergic rhinitis, the blood vessels dilate so that air circulation is disrupted.

5. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is also a cause of the prolonged cold. This is an infection originating from fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Generally, pneumonia attacks through the air. In most cases, prolonged colds caused by pneumonia will attack when someone coughs or sneezes.

Those are some of the causes of prolonged colds that you should know. Although other factors make a person suffer from a cold, the five causes above are the most common causes of a cold.

Ways to Cure Colds in Children and Adults

You already know the difference between flu and runny nose, symptoms of a cold, and several causes of prolonged colds. Now is the time to review how to cure a cold. In the following review, we will divide the discussion into ways to treat colds in adults and children. This is because children, especially babies, have a slightly different healing method. No need to linger, there are ways to cure a cold that you have to try.

How to cure useful colds for adults

For adults, there are many ways to cure colds that can be tried. This is because adults generally have a stronger immune system so that bugs can be rectified quickly. At least there are ways to cure colds in a day for adults:

1. Ginger

Ginger is known as a traditional cold cough medicine for adults that is proven effective. This is because ginger can make the muscles in the respiratory tract relax. Besides, the active substances contained in ginger can stimulate the body's immune system productivity.

How to cure a cold with ginger is very easy. You only need to drink warm ginger water when you have a cold. In addition to being able to cure colds, ginger can also warm the body and ward off nausea when a cold.

2. Honey

The next way to cure a cold is honey. Honey has a variety of substances that are very useful. There are many anti-microbial properties found in honey. With the content, natural remedies for colds for adults this one can be tried.

The trick, consume pure honey twice a day. If necessary, mix the honey with a squeeze of lime and warm water. Traditional ingredients for colds should not be given to infants who are not yet one year old.

3. Garlic

The next traditional cold sore medicine is garlic. As we know, garlic is known as a natural ingredient for treating inflammation. Natural garlic compounds can fight viruses. Besides, garlic also stimulates the body's immune system.

In utilizing garlic to treat colds, it's straightforward. You can eat it directly or by mixing it as a mixture of food. However, it is highly recommended to consume raw garlic so that your runny nose heals in a day.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C has many health benefits, one of which is to boost the immune system. When the body's immune system recovers, the viruses and bacteria that enter the body can be eradicated more easily. Therefore, foods containing vitamin C are very suitable for treating colds.

As for some examples of foods that contain vitamin C are lemons, oranges, peppers, chili, guava, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwi, strawberry, papaya, and so forth.

5. Drink plenty of water

The next way to treat a cold is to increase the consumption of water. This is because most common cold causes excess mucus from the nose. The snot collects at the back of the throat. By drinking lots of water, the mucous membrane of the nose will remain moist so that snot can be reduced. Also, water can also prevent the body from dehydration.

6. Warm Water Soak

To cure a cold for less than a day, you can soak in warm water. This is the easiest way to cure a cold. Besides bathing in warm water, you can also use other alternatives such as moisturizing the room.

7. Eucalyptus Oil

The next way to treat a cold is eucalyptus oil. The function of eucalyptus oil is to thin the mucus in the nose. That way, the moisture of the nose will return to normal and not runny. Directly apply eucalyptus oil on the nose. Do it regularly as soon as you feel your nose starts to snot.

8. Take a Longer Rest

As explained above, one of the factors that make the body susceptible to colds is the decrease in the body's immune system. As a type of disease that is not too dangerous, you have to rest longer to cure a cold.

The reason, when resting, the body produces new cells that can fight viral and bacterial infections. In adults, the recommended rest time is 8 hours. So when you have a cold, it's good to spend more time sleeping.

Those are some ways to cure colds that you can do. The method above is straightforward to do so that you get a cold sore you can recover in just one day.

Ways to Treat Colds in Children and Babies

To treat colds in children and infants, the method is indeed different compared to adults. Why? This is because small children or babies have an immune system that is still not perfect. Therefore, a safer way is needed so that children's health is maintained.

At least here are some ways to cure colds in children and infants:

1. The mix of Lime and Honey

Colds in children can be overcome by giving lime juice mixed with honey. The trick, take one ripe lime. After that, squeeze the lime on a spoon. Mix a little honey in the juice. Drink on children. If you have, give a glass of warm water so that the child's throat is not hoarse.

2. Give Probiotics

According to research, taking probiotics is very safe for children aged 12 months to 12 years. This is because probiotics can increase endurance. When the body's resistance returns to normal, the viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses in children can be cured. The example of probiotics that can be given to children is yogurt or drinks with lactobacillus content such as Yakult.

3. Bathe with warm water

The next way to treat a child's cold and baby is by bathing them using warm water. When the child's body is warm, the vitality of the body can regenerate. For children under one year of age, merely wipe their bodies with warm water.

Those are some ways to treat baby and child colds that you can do. Although colds are a category of minor illnesses, if they don't heal, you should go to a doctor to get the right treatment. Hopefully, a complete review of colds, cold symptoms, causes of colds, and how to treat colds on this occasion is useful for you.

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