As winter approaches , how to check If you have a cold and recover faster

The common cold affects millions of people every year. It can strike at any time, but most people get sick during winter and spring.

The common cold viruses target the upper respiratory tract and cause symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing.

There is no vaccine for cold viruses, but there are steps that can be taken to speed up the healing process and prevent illness in the future.

It usually resolves the cold on its own without visiting a doctor. However, it can be difficult to distinguish the common cold from other more serious diseases such as influenza or "Covid-19".

Here is what you need to know about cold symptoms and treatment, as well as how to determine if your illness is more serious and you should seek medical help.

Symptoms

Symptoms will appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to the infection. After that, the first days often show the most severe symptoms. You will likely encounter a combination of the following:

-body aches

-Congestion

Cough

Headache

Loss of the sense of smell and taste

-Runny nose

Sneezing

-Sore throat

The diagnosis

Colds are more common during the winter and spring months. You can also catch a cold in the summer, but the symptoms are usually different.

Flu usually begins in October and ends in February.

Allergy is most intense in the first week of May, but people can develop allergies during the spring, summer, and fall.

Keep track of the duration of your illness.

Don't forget to keep track of how long you felt sick, as common colds usually last 7-10 days in adults and children.

The flu lasts about 7 to 14 days. Seasonal allergies can last from several weeks to months, or as long as you are exposed to an allergen.

treatment

 If it is related to a cold, there are many treatments available that will help some to speed up recovery, or that only relieve symptoms in others.

Here are common cold remedies that work:

  • Drink a lot of fluids.

• Focus on eating healthy foods, especially rich in vitamins C, A, E, B6 and D and minerals such as zinc and iron.
• Take nutritional supplements that contain immune-boosting vitamins and minerals
• Get enough sleep.
• Adults can take antihistamines or decongestants for relief. Children under the age of two should not be given any cough medicine.
• Adults as well as children (under adult supervision) can try steam therapy to ease congestion (while boiling water, must add some salt to it, then steam).
• Massage throat, chest and neck  back with any oil( preferably mustard or olive).