If it’s not a runny nose, sore throat, and cough, it’s the watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion — or maybe all of the above — and a common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way at the time. In fact, because any one of more than 100 viruses can cause a common cold, signs and symptoms tend to vary greatly.
Although healthy adults can anticipate getting a few colds each year, preschoolers are most susceptible to catching them frequently.
Causes-The rhinovirus is the most frequent cause of the common cold, though more than 100 viruses can also be to blame.
When a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks, the cold virus can spread through airborne droplets, but it can also spread through hand-to-hand contact with an infected person or by sharing contaminated objects, such as utensils, towels, toys, or telephones. If you touch your mouth, eyes, or nose after such contact or exposure, you’re likely to contract a cold.
Common cold symptoms can include: runny or stuffy nose, itchy or sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches or a mild headache, sneezing, watery eyes, low-grade fever, mild fatigue, and more.
What distinguishes a cold from other viral infections is that you typically won’t have a high fever and you’re unlikely to experience significant fatigue from a cold. As a cold progresses, the nasal discharge may become thicker and yellow or green in color.
The following are some risk factors that could make you more likely to catch a cold:
Age.The risk of colds is highest in children under six, particularly if they frequently attend child care facilities.
Weakened immune system.Your risk increases if you suffer from a chronic illness or another condition that compromises your immune system.
Time of yearAlthough you can get a cold at any time, fall and winter are the seasons when both children and adults are more prone to getting them.
SmokingIf you smoke, your chances of getting a cold increase, as does the severity of your colds.
ExposureYou are more likely to come into contact with cold-causing viruses if you are in a crowded environment, like a classroom or an airplane.
Complications
Acute ear infection (otitis media).Common signs and symptoms include earaches, and in some cases, a green or yellow discharge from the nose or the return of a fever after a common cold. This happens when bacteria or viruses enter the space behind the eardrum.
Asthma.An attack of asthma may be brought on by a cold.
Acute sinusitis.A persistent cold in either adults or kids can result in sinusitis, an infection and inflammation of the sinuses.
Other secondary infections.These infections, which necessitate medical attention, include croup or bronchiolitis in children, pneumonia, and strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis).
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Some of the most significant homoeopathic remedies, including those for the common cold, are listed below.
ARSENIC ALBUM 30One of the best treatments for a common cold is arsenic album. Arsenic alb. is prescribed when there is a thin, watery discharge from the nose that causes a burning sensation and is frequently accompanied by sneezing. The patient’s condition worsens in cold air and can be relieved by being in a warm room. The patient is restless and has a thirst for small amounts of water at intervals.
ACONITUM NAPELLUS 30When there is scant nasal discharge, stuffy nose, and sneezing, along with other accompanying symptoms like restlessness and anxiety, as well as an increased thirst for cold water, aconite should be administered. It is also effective for colds brought on by sudden exposure to cold air.
GELSEMIUM 1XWhen the common cold is accompanied by a headache, gelsemium is another effective treatment option. The patient experiences fever, sneezing, and watery nasal discharge in addition to dullness, drowsiness, and debility. In the majority of cases, there is no thirst for water.
NUX VOMICA 30When the nose feels blocked, especially at night, and there is a watery discharge from the nose during the day, Nux Vomica is prescribed. The cold may be accompanied by extreme chilliness, and the patient wants to be warmly wrapped up.
**BELLADONNA 30-**Belladonna is prescribed for a common cold when a sore throat also develops along with the cold, gets worse when you swallow anything, is inflamed and dry, and is accompanied by headaches that are only mildly relieved by tying the head up.
ALLIUM CEPA 30The nasal discharge is irritating and burning in nature, the patient feels a little better in open air, and there may be a cough with headache. Allium Cepa is an effective homeopathic treatment for a running nose with excessive watery discharge, along with sneezing and headache.
ARUM TRIPHYLLUM 30-When the patient feels their nose is blocked, has pain and irritation in their nostrils, must breathe through their mouth, and has a lot of acrid, excoriating discharge that has a sharp, unpleasant smell and feel, arum triphyllum is prescribed. The discharge may even be bloody.
BRYONIA ALB. 30– Bryonia Alba is useful for headaches and colds, which are both characterized by an increased thirst for liquids.
HEPAR SULPH 30Two or three doses of hepar sulph are typically sufficient for the purpose. Hepar sulph is prescribed when the nose is blocked, which is worse in cold air. There is profuse discharge in stuffy colds. Sneezes every time he goes outside in the cold, dry wind. Nostrils are ulcerated. There is a loose, rattling cough present along with the cold.
**SABADILLA 30-**Sabadilla is prescribed when there is excessive sneezing coupled with a persistent running nose, coryza with spasmodic sneezing, severe frontal pains, redness and watering of the eyes, sore throat starting on the left side, and thick mucus. Symptoms are better with hot food and hot drinks, and worse with cold food and cold drinks. There is no throat irritation.
EUPATORIUM PERFORLIATUM 30-Eupatorium per. Helpful for cold symptoms like severe body aches and all-over muscle soreness.
DULCAMARA 30-When it rains or when it’s hot during the day and cold at night, Dulcamara experiences a lot of colds. After being exposed to cold air, the nose becomes completely blocked without any discharge. Newborn babies experience coryza.
Sambucus is recommended when there is severe dryness and nasal obstruction, usually at night when a person wakes up from sleep feeling as though they are being suffocated.Coryza and infant snuffles are other conditions for which Sambucus is prescribed.
AMMONIUM CARB.30-When the nose is completely blocked off, making it impossible to breathe through it, and there is a sharp burning discharge, the doctor may prescribe ammonium carb. Coryza that has been present for a while may also cause the nose to stop up at night.
QUILLAYA SAP. 30—Quillaya is an excellent cold remedy that, when administered at the first signs of coryza, prevents the spread of the illness and its symptoms, including coughing up difficult-to-breathe mucus and sore throat.
SAPONARIA 10MThe patient acts intoxicated after taking saponaria, which clears up the sore throat, coryza, and cold.
SOLANUM NIGRUM 30Acute coryza is characterized by watery discharge from the right nostril, a blocked left nostril, and a chilly-heat sensation that alternates. Solanum nigrum is prescribed for this condition.
TRITICUM REP 30Even if there isn’t always a discharge, the patient blowing their nose frequently is a great treatment for coryza.
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