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No Cure for the Common Cold

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audio medical article about the common cold
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There's good news and there's bad news.  Let's get the bad news over with first ... there's still no cure for the common cold.  However, there are natural remedies that will give you relief from cold symptoms.  You can also increase your chances of avoiding getting a cold in the first place with some simple preventative measures.

How to Catch a Cold ... and some simple prevention tips

If you have a runny nose, itchy eyes, and are sneezing or coughing, you probably have caught a cold.  Most of the time, people catch a cold during the winter because of the low atmospheric humidity during the winter season which enables cold causing viruses to develop more easily. The virus can enter your body either through your mouth or nose, or sometimes through your hands. You are likely to catch a cold when you come into contact with an infected person.
Here are some tips that might help you avoid catching a cold:
  • Be careful about what you eat and be sure to wash  your hands before eating.  You should eat a healthy, balanced diet.
  • Avoid contact with people who have a cold.
  • Clean surfaces door knobs and utensils with a disinfectant.  If you share a keyboard at work or at home, keep it clean.

Treatment; Medicines for the Common Cold

A visit to the doctor is not necessary for the common cold unless the problem persists and you have a high fever, vomiting or severe headache then you must seek medical advice. The general medicines for a common cold include decongestants, nasal sprays or suppressants and the like.  While these medications are commonly used, you might want to consider the side effects that they may have on you or your child. Pain killers such as aspirin can affect your lungs. Decongestants may cause heart palpitations and insomnia.  Some over the counter cough syrups can be responsible for drowsiness.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for the common cold.

Antibiotics do not affect the cold virus.  There is no pill that will make a cold go away.  However, there are a number of home remedies which can provide relief from the pain and other symptoms of a cold without side effects.   Vitamin C is known for its remedial power against the common cold. An alternative to taking Vitamin C tablets is lemon juice, which may reduce the duration of the cold as well as the infection. Ginger is another "wonder medicine" for a cold. Ginger juice taken with honey reduces throat itching and soothes it. Chicken soup can also be given. Eating garlic enhances the body’s immune-stimulating properties, thus helps in fighting the common cold. Drink plenty of liquid foods like juices, lemon water etc. Finally, your recovery will be faster if you allow yourself proper rest.