| The common cold is a viral infection of the lining of the | | | | it coming on. Once the virus establishes a firm foothold, |
| nose, sinuses, throat and large airways. This is the | | | | it will take a much longer time and suffering before you |
| upper respiratory tract infection that is caused by a | | | | can be rid of it completely. |
| virus. There are many different viruses that cause | | | | When you have the cold, as the name suggests, your |
| colds, but the common ones are the rhinoviruses, within | | | | internal body is "cold" so you need to keep warm and |
| which there are about a hundred known subtypes. | | | | take foods that heat up your body, like hot chicken |
| Colds mainly spread when a person's hands come in | | | | soup. Although oranges are often recommended for |
| contact with nasal secretions from an infected person. | | | | its vitamin C, it should be avoided when you've already |
| Less often, colds are spread when a person breathes | | | | caught that cold. Citrus fruits may irritate the throat and |
| air that contains droplets that were coughed or | | | | cause more mucus. Another thing you definitely must |
| sneezed out by the infected person. A cold is most | | | | avoid when you have the cold is milk and dairy |
| contagious in the first one or two days after | | | | products. |
| symptoms develop. | | | | During a cold, drown yourself with plenty clear liquids. |
| Symptoms of Cold | | | | Drink lots of warm water with a pinch of Celtic sea |
| Symptoms of the common cold start 1 to 3 days after | | | | salt. The water should be as warm as possible yet not |
| infection. The first symptoms would be discomfort in | | | | too hot that it burns your lips. The warm water helps |
| the nose or throat. Then sneezing starts, and the | | | | to relieve the soreness in the throat, and the sea salt |
| infected person has a runny nose and feels mildly ill. | | | | (not table salt) helps break up the accumulating mucus |
| Fever is not common but may develop. | | | | and congestion in the chest. |
| Initially, the secretions from the nose may be watery | | | | You will need plenty of rest too. Take time to |
| and clear. Eventually it becomes thicker, opaque, | | | | sleep out your cold. It is a way for your body to |
| yellow-green and less. Sometimes, cough may also | | | | tell you to slow down and take it easy. You'll be |
| develop. Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, | | | | surprised how much better you will feel with that extra |
| although the cough may last longer. | | | | rest. |
| Diet/Lifestyle Suggestions | | | | Here's a very effective recipe that helps prevent that |
| Build up your immune system with plenty fresh fruits | | | | cold coming on: Juice half a lemon together with its |
| and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C if you are | | | | peel, and one inch of ginger. Mix them in a glass of 200 |
| prone to catching a cold. A strong immune system is | | | | ml of very warm water, and stir in one tablespoon of |
| the best defense against cold. | | | | raw honey. Drink three or four times throughout the |
| If you are unfortunate enough to get infected, the best | | | | day. |
| way to stop a cold is to nip it in the bud when you feel | | | | |