Health Talk :How To Prevent And Treat Respiratory Tract Infection (Cold)

Common cold is common and it occurs throughout the years even though there are increased cases during harmattan and rainy season due to the harsh weather. It is the most frequently occurring illness all over the world, and it is a leading cause of visits to doctors and missed days from school and work.



It is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses.
Children in preschool and elementary school can have cold monthly while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year.

The common cold virus is typically transmitted via air- borne droplets, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, hand-to-hand , hand-to-surface or contaminated objects.

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Nasal symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, congestion, cough and headache often occur by the fourth and fifth days.

Treatment

• No cure for the common cold exists, but the symptoms can be treated.

• Paracetamol is effective for fever and mild pain, and is a common ingredient in many ‘cold and flu’ medicines.

• Nasal decongestants can help to ease a blocked nose. They work in the nose by reducing blood flow and swelling, making it easier to breathe.

• Sore throats can be relieved with gargling salt water; licking throat lozenges, other home remedies are sipping a warm drink with lemon and honey and eating garlic.

• Antibiotics do not help treat colds and overuse may lead to resistance, making them less effective when they are needed.

• They can also cause many unwanted side effects such as allergic reactions, diarrhoea and thrush. However, if cold symptoms do not seem to be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial infection, which means you may need the antibiotics.

Prevention

• The most important prevention measure for preventing colds and flu is frequent hand washing. Hand washing by rubbing the hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based hand sanitiser and hand wipes helps to slough germs off the skin.

• Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue. If you can’t reach a tissue on time, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.

• Avoid sharing utensils, drinking glasses, washcloths, towels and other items that might harbour germs with anyone who has a cold or fever.

• Avoid close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold or other communicable infection.

In conclusion, let’s take the preventive measures to reduce the spread of cold especially during this rainy season.