Health Feature Articles
Dealing with a side effect of winter: The common cold
Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Northwest Region, University of Missouri Extension
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. Colds are so common this time of year that they seem to be a side effect of winter. Cold symptoms vary and 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 (up to 102°F) or mild fatigue. According to the Mayo Clinic website, the difference between a common cold and other viral infections is that there is not usually a high fever or extreme fatigue with the common cold.
Being viral, the common cold has no cure as such, but there are
ways to deal with the symptoms. If at all possible, get the rest
your body needs to heal itself. If possible, stay away from other
people, especially if you have a cough. If you must be around others,
reduce the chance of infection by coughing into a sleeve and washing
hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose. The room of
the sick person should be warm, but not overheated. Keeping it humidified
can also help ease congestion and coughing. A cool-mist humidifier
or vaporizer is best, and be sure it is kept clean to avoid mold
and bacterial growth.
An eating plan for someone who has a common cold can also make a
difference. Include lots of water, juice, tea and warm soup to replace
fluids lost by a runny nose and fever. Try chicken soup. According
to the Mayo Clinic website, research has shown that this helps
relieve cold symptoms by acting as an anti-inflammatory. It also,
“temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping
relieve congestion and limiting the time the viruses are in contact
with the nasal lining.”
To soothe a sore throat or cough, try gargling with warm salt water
several times a day. This can bring some relief to symptoms. Drinking
honey mixed into warm lemon water or tea is another home remedy.
A 2007 study showed that children two years old and older who were
given up to two teaspoons of honey before bed had less nighttime
coughing and improved sleep about as effective as typical over-the-counter
doses of the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Warning: do not
give honey to children under the age of one as it may cause infant
botulism.
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Last Updated 03/10/2011
