A common cold has several stages with different symptoms, so you have to be careful because it can be transmitted to people around you.
The cold weather also brings with it specific ailments, such as colds, flu, viruses. But they can develop not only when the temperatures are low, but throughout the year, according Mayo Clinicquoted from dcnews.ro.
Therefore, adults contact on average two to three colds per year, and in children their frequency is even higher.
The CDC reports that adults have an average of two to three colds each year, while children can have even more.
Here are the 3 stages of a common cold:
Stage 1 – days 1-3 (prodrome/beginning)
The usual signs of a cold can lead to the need to drink orange juice and overuse hand sanitizer. But if you feel that your throat stings or tingles, you have probably already contacted one of the 200 strains of the virus that cause the common cold, the most common being the rhinovirus. So it set up for the next 7-10 days.
Common symptoms
– Tingling in the throat
– Body aches
– Fatigue
Family physician Dr. Doug Nunamaker says that in the early days of a cold, most people don’t take enough care of their symptoms.
While there are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments and remedies that can relieve the symptoms of a cold at this stage, he suggests turning to one of the most common foods for people with a cold or flu: Chicken noodle soup.
“It’s easy on the stomach, soothes the throat and provides liquid for hydration,” he explains. If you have a fever or sweat, chicken soup can help replace some of the salt your body may be losing.
As for the levels of contamination, the doctor says that the cold is contagious when you have “active symptoms”. A tickling in the throat, a runny nose, body aches and even a low-grade fever means you can transmit the germ to those around you.
Tips for recovery
– Get plenty of sleep and rest
– Stay hydrated
Avoiding the spread of the virus
– Avoid contact with people, if possible, by staying at home
– Avoid physical contact with other people, such as kissing or shaking hands
– Wash your hands often with soap and water
– Completely cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow or tissue. Throw away the tissue immediately and wash your hands.
Stage 2 – days 4-7 (Active)
This is when the virus is at its peak. During this time, you may find that everything hurts and your face feels like a running faucet. You may even have a fever, which can be alarming.
Because you have a virus, however, you have a compromised immune system. A fever is your body’s way of defending its immune system,” explains Nunamaker.
“A fever is nature’s antibiotic. Let it go,” he adds.
Nunamaker adds that a fever is not a concern until it reaches 39°C. In fact, up to 38°C, you are considered to have a “high temperature”, not a fever.
A fever with a cold can easily be confused with the flu. You should remember that the flu has radically different and much more severe symptoms that come on strongly, quickly, and usually include a headache.
The most common symptoms to look out for at this stage of the cold are:
– Sore throat
– Cough
– Congestion or runny nose
– Fatigue
– Pain
– Chills or low fever
As with stage 1, if symptoms are still active, you are still contagious. During this time, you should continue to be aware of others’ presence and avoid physical interactions.
Stage 3 – days 8-10 (final)
A cold usually ends around the 10th day. There are also exceptions. If you still feel the effects, if your symptoms get worse or if your fever rises, then another treatment should be followed, according to Healthline.
When you should go to the doctor
If symptoms persist for more than 10 days, it is recommended to see a doctor. But some people can develop a nagging post-infectious cough that can last an average of 18 days after the cold goes away. If, however, all other symptoms have stopped, you can consider that you have got rid of the cold.
If the other symptoms are still present, you are still contagious and need to prevent the virus from spreading.
The most common symptoms to watch out for:
– Cough
– Congestion
– Runny nose
– Fatigue
2023-09-21 18:15:00
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