As the air gets cooler and temperatures start to drop, we may look around and see people falling ill. While there can be many causes, one of the most prevalent ones is the common cold, which has a period of heightened activity around fall.
Scientists named it “cold season.” It is the period of time where cold-causing viruses are the most active. In the United States, the season starts in early September and lasts until April.
However, doctors consider October through March to be the most dangerous months, since that’s when infections are highest. According to the American Lung Association, adults in the United States get an average of two to three colds per year, most of which occur between September and May.
In order to face this, it is essential to stay informed and know the many symptoms and remedies to the virus.
Cold symptoms often include coughing, congestion, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, chills, fatigue, watery or itchy eyes, and headaches, but symptoms vary between each individual. The symptoms can also vary in intensity. At times, they can be easily manageable at home, while other times they may require a visit to the doctor to get them under control. Regardless, it can be helpful to know how to, at least, alleviate some of the symptoms.
Medication
There are some medicines that can be effective. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends asking your pharmacist or healthcare provider for pain relievers and fever reducers, as they can help lessen symptoms.
MedlinePlus claims nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, expectorants, antihistamines, and pain relievers are very effective at alleviating symptoms.
At-home remedies
Since the common cold has been around for years, it has given people plenty of time to come up with different remedies to help treat it.
The most popular at-home remedy includes drinking hot fluids. Some examples include chicken soup, which is easy to make and helps alleviate symptoms. Warm tea comes in many different flavors and can be made quick, providing a fast way to get symptoms under control.
Coffee can also be useful since the caffeine in it helps counteract the groggy, unenergized feeling associated with colds. However, according to an article by Healthline, it should only be used as a last resort as it can make things like nausea, dehydration, and vomiting worse.
Honey and lime juice are also additional ways to keep cold symptoms at bay. According to research by Mayo Clinic, mixing these two ingredients together with water creates a drink that helps ease itchiness in the throat. Honey also works well on its own. Drinking it helps de-escalate a cough, and its thick texture provides a coating for the throat. This helps keep the throat from becoming more irritated.
Prevention
Dealing with the cold can be a hassle, so it is always beneficial to know how to avoid getting sick in the first place. According to an article by Michigan State University, “hand-washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of the common cold.”
With our lives becoming more and more fast-paced, it’s important to remember to wash our hands whenever needed, for at least 20 seconds.
Also with temperatures going down, people also tend to spend more time indoors in close proximity to one another. These conditions are perfect for viruses to spread, so remember to wipe down surfaces people often touch.
For those who are sick, it is essential to be considerate of others. Stay home if you don’t feel well, wear a mask if you need to, and try to avoid close contact with other people or surfaces they usually touch.
Considering that your body is fighting off a virus, it’s important to get plenty of rest and drink water. Remember that medicine can’t completely fight a cold off, it can only help ease symptoms. The only way to get rid of a cold is to wait it out, as the virus will typically leave your body after two weeks.
Cold season can be difficult, especially for those with underlying conditions, so it’s necessary to be aware of how to manage a cold, and how to make sure you don’t put others in danger. We can do this to create a safer, less infectious cold season.