Common Cold

Common cold is generally known as Cold. It is viral infection of upper respiratory tract which commonly involves nose and  throat. Patient suffering from cold may have sneezing, coryza, cough, sore throat, headache and fever. Patient may feel weakness. Most common virus that causes common cold is Rhinovirus.  It may spread from air being in close contact with person suffering from cold.

Sign and Symptoms:

Symptoms can vary from patient to patient:

• Sneezing
• Cold
• Sore Throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Fever
• Weakness

The complaint can worsen in different situations like:

• Exposure to dust.
• Exposure to cold.
• Cold weather.

Frequently asked questions

Is Common cold infectious ?

Yes common cold infection can occur from inhaling the virus from air after the person suffering from cold coughs or sneezes. It can spread by touching contaminated towel, utensils etc.

What are the risk factors for common cold:

• Children are more at risk for common cold.
• Cold weather / exposure to cold.
• Low Immunity.

Do the cold weather has relation to Common Cold:

Certain weathers like cold, humid weather and change of weather can trigger asthma.

Complications:

          It can trigger Asthma.

          It can lead to sinusitis.

          It can lead to ear infection.

Prevention:

• Clean your hands with soap and water.
• Clean utensils, clothes infected by discharges of patient regularly.
• Do not touch your nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Patient infected with common cold should use tissue while coughing or sneezing and discard tissue as and when it is infected with discharge.

Clinical Observation:

I have observed that Common cold is triggered further by food / diet that is too Spicy / peppery or is icy cold. On mental level it is observed that any fears and anxieties can trigger Common cold.    

Treatment:

There are many medicines for common cold like Rhus-tox, Carb-Veg, Pulsatilla, Arsenic Alb, Sulphur, Silicea, Sepia etc., but no homeopathic medicine should be taken without consulting doctor. Please consult Homeopathic doctor to get rid of Common Cold.