Top 5 most frequently asked questions about the common cold

1. What is the difference between a cold and flu?

Both flu and cold are respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. Cold symptoms are much milder than flu symptoms.

Symptoms of a cold include:

• Angina;
• Runny nose;
• Cough;
• Subfebrile temperature;

Flu often causes a higher temperature, chills, body aches and fatigue.

2. Why is there no vaccine for the common cold?

Colds can be caused by almost 250 different viruses. It is very difficult for scientists to create a vaccine that provides protection against all cold viruses.

In addition, the need for such a remedy is significantly less, since a cold is most often characterized by a minor infection of the throat, nose and sinuses, which passes without serious complications.

3. Can cold symptoms be an allergy?

If you have a runny nose but no fever and other typical symptoms, it could be an allergy. In addition, if the symptoms last more than 2 weeks and the eyes are red, it is an allergy.

However, it is difficult to say for sure, because people with allergies and asthma are more likely to catch a cold – they may already have inflamed and irritated lungs – thus they are more -difficult to fight the cold virus.

4. Should we treat a cold?

Try to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration. This can prevent the development of other infections. Avoid caffeinated coffee, tea and Coca-Cola.

As for eating, watch yourself to see if you have an appetite. If you are not very hungry, eat lighter foods such as white rice and broths. Chicken soup helps to unclog the nose faster.

Some medicinal preparations can relieve painful sensations and lower the temperature.

However, doctors do not recommend lowering the temperature, except in children and the elderly, as it is the body’s natural way to fight infections faster, helps suppress the growth of viruses and bacteria, and activates the immune system.

• Aspirin – should not be given to children, due to the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome;

• Decongestants – ease breathing by reducing inflammation of the nasal mucosa. They are used no more than 2-3 days.

• Nasal saline helps to clear the airways and make breathing easier.

• Cough cough suppressants are not very effective – the US Food and Drug Administration and manufacturers do not recommend giving such cough suppressants to children under 4 years of age.

• Gargling the mouth with salt water helps relieve a sore throat.

5. How effective are zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C natural cold remedies?

Some studies show that treating colds with a zinc-containing aerosol helps significantly reduce the duration of the illness.

p>

However, other studies show that zinc is no more than a placebo. As for echinacea, recent research shows that it has no effect at all when it comes to improving health.

Recent studies looking at how vitamin C affects the body have found that ascorbic acid is not able to prevent colds, but it can shorten their duration.