Colds

There's a good reason this ailment is often called the common cold: It's estimated that Australians catch 45 million cold each year---that's a lot of sneezes! But with the right remedies, you can get faster relief and possibly even shorten your cold's stay. 

What is happening

First,what is not happening. You don't catch a  cold from cold weather. You don't catch a cold by going outside with wet air. And despite what many people think, bacteria do not cause colds, viruses do--some 200 different strains of them. Rhinoviruses, which produce an estimated 30 to 40 percent of colds, are most active in spring, summer  and early autumn. Coronaviruses are responsible for most winter and early spring colds.
     Regardless of which virus you're exposed to, it spreads the same way--by direct contact.  If someone sneezes or coughs in your direction, you can breathe in the virus. It can also survive outside the body for up to three hours on telephones, cups, kitchen counters and other surfaces you're likely to touch (that includes shaking hands). If  you pick up the virus and rub your eyes or nose before you wash your hands, you've just given the bug a free ride to your mucous membranes, where it starts replicating with a vengeance.
  Your immune system, in an effort to evict the unwanted guest, unleashes a counterattack that you recognise as the classic cold symptoms: runny nose, sneezing and coughing. A cold usually clears up within  a week, although particularly stubborn strains can hand around for up to two weeks. And the severity of symptoms varies greatly from person to person. Unlike most illnesses, though, colds become less likely to bother you as you age. That only underscores the important role your immune system plays in fighting colds. The average child get six to eight colds a year; the average adult has two to four. And by the time you're over age 60, you're likely to get less than one cold a year.

LIKELY FIRST STEPS

Rest and drink plenty of fluids to ease your symptoms.
Nonprescription medications for your specific complaints (analgesics, decongestansts, cough suppressants).
Vitaminc C or herbal remedies to shorten the cold's duration.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

How many days should I stay home from work?
Should I stop exercising temporarily/
I've noticed the mucus I'm coughing up has turned yellowish-green. Dose that mean I need an antibiotic?

Treatments

The common cold is like the summertime blues: there ain't no cure--mostly because there aren't drugs (yet) that kill a wide range of viruses. For now, the best you can do is to make yourself more comfortable and possibly help your immune system send your cold packing a day or so earlier. The old standbys of getting rest and plenty of fluids still hold true and there are many simple steps you can take--from keeping a positive attitude and taking non-prescription medication to choosing immune-boosting foods and vitamins--that will also help you feel better faster. If your cold seems
to worsen after a week or so or if you feel symptoms developing in your lungs or sinuses, consider
a visit to your doctor

                                            Treatment Options 
 
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
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 Fluids & reset                                  Cornerstones of successful recovery.
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Good hygiene                                   Wash your hands often to keep the virus from spreading to others.
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Stress reduction                                 Staying positive builds immunity.

MEDICATIONS
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Analgesics                                       Aspirin or paracetamol relieves aches and lowers fever.
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 Decongestants                                 Help clear a stuffy nose.
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Cough suppressants                          Aid sleep at night; look for 'DM' on label
  NATURAL METHODStients
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 Vitamin C                                          May cut duration of a cold.
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Echinacea                                            Effective for short-term use.
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Zinc                                                      Try zinc lozenges, tablets or nasal sprays.

TAKING CONTROL

• Don't accept antibiotics. They're useless for viruses and only against bacteria. Recent campaign organised by the National Prescribing Service have seen a marked decreasein the number of antibiotics being prescribed for patients with colds,
• Check nonprescription drugs for PPA. If you have a nasal decongestant that's been around for a while, get rid of it the label says it contains PPA (phenylpropanolamine).
• Try zinc lozenges. The first scientific reports of benefits of zinc go back to the early 1980s Since then, a number of studies have shown zinc to be beneficial in treating colds, sense of taste.
• Try steam inhlation. Breathing in warm, moist air can loosen impacted mucus and help you decongest without a lot of drugs (For other ways to clear your lungs, see on next)