Colds are most common in autumn and winter. The common cold is an acute viral inflammation of nasal mucous membranes which sometimes affects the pharynx as well; it lasts five to seven days and is also known as rhinitis. The causes are viruses, about 200 types of viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. Most common cold symptoms are headache, general weakness, nose and throat mucous membrane irritation, sneezing, eye watering, chills and raised body temperature. The cold can sometimes become complicated and change into bronchitis, sinus inflammation, middle ear inflammation etc. Cold is more common than all other diseases together because most people contract it several times a year. It is the leading reason for doctor visits and work and school absences. It can occur at any point during the year, and is most common during the winter, because most causes (viruses) is most active at low temperatures and low air humidity, due to lower respiratory mucous membrane resistance, more frequent and closer physical contact and bad ventilation.

Despite popular belief, there is no evidence that cold, draft, fatigue, lack of sleep, or similar conditions are connected to higher frequency or severity of the cold. It is most common in children due to their relative intolerance to infections and contact with other children in kindergartens and schools. Viral colds and flues spread via droplets (inhalation of air containing droplets around a sick person), direct contact or infected objects. Prevention includes frequent washing of hands, not touching the nose or eyes and immune system maintenance with proper diet, as well as with physical activity, and cigarettes and alcohol abstinence. The infected should remain at home in order to prevent spreading of the virus, and sneeze and cough into napkins which should be thrown away. Healthy persons should avoid close, long contact with infected people. Objects and surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectants which kill viruses.

Cold should be differentiated from allergy and flu.

If there is no raised body temperature, and cough and nasal mucous membrane irritation lasts longer than 15 days, it is possible that it is an allergy.

Flu and cold are followed by the same symptoms which differ in intensity. Cold begins with mild symptoms: sneezing, snuffles, sore throat, dry cough and raised body temperature, while flu is most commonly accompanied by fever, strong headache, joint and muscle pain and high body temperature. In both cases, it is a virus infection transferred via droplets; for those infections, there is a special cure, and no urgent trips to the doctor are necessary because doctor waiting rooms are usually filled with viruses. Cold usually lasts up to seven and flu up to ten days.

Treatment

There are no specific medicines for cold and similar virus infections treatment. Antibiotics are usually and mistakenly used for cold treatment. It is important to notice: antibiotics are medicines for bacterial infections treatment, and cold and flu are caused by viruses in which case antibiotics are completely useless.

Cold treatment is in fact symptom relief treatment.

Cold treatment recommendations:

-relieve secondary symptoms such as: raised body temperature, headache and joint pains using appropriate medications: analgoantipiretics (paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen).

Raised body temperature is a body defense mechanism. If it is between 37.5 and 38°C, a simple warm water shower is enough. If it is higher than 38°C, you should take temperature lowering medicines (analgoantipiretics).

-Treat cough with mucous diluting and expectoration enabling syrups (Marshmallow syrup, Ivy leaf syrup, Thyme syrup and Iceland moss syrup) and sore throat using lozenges.

-Constantly moisturize the respiratory tract using physiological solutions (Viscomar, Physiological solution spray, Aquasin). For ease of breath, or in cases of congestion or excessive nasal secretion, use nose drops according to doctor or pharmacist recommendation for a maximum of 5 days before any damage to nasal mucous membranes is made (Nazosol).

-Treat the irritated skin on the outside of the nose with creams and balsams for damaged and inflamed skin.

-Warm physiological solution inhalation containing essential oils with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect: eucalyptus, mint, pine…

-rubbing in of ointments and balsams containing essential oils into the chest or back skin; in that manner, the active ingredients are absorbed fast, and partially inhaled as well (Metobalm, Babybalm).

-Drink plenty of liquid: tea, natural juices, soups…

-Reduce physical activity.

-Eat vitamin rich foods, especially vitamin C.

-Abstain from alcohol or cigarettes.

According to your needs, apply alternative treatment methods using herbs and homeopathic medicines.

Vitamins and dietary supplements

Vitamin C relieves symptoms of diseases. There is plenty of it in fruit and vegetables. Vitamin C and honey are added to lukewarm tea because the heat destroys the healing compounds. Recommended daily intake of this vitamin is 60mg and during a cold, up to 500mg.

Zinc is a microelement which strengthens the immune system, reduces viral reproduction, which reduces the possibility of complication and sickness prolongation. Daily intake for adults is 15mg, and there is most of it in red meat, poultry, eggs and legumes.

Echinacea acts as an immune stimulant; it entices the production and activity of immune cells in the organism. It is taken in the form of tinctures, capsules or syrup, mostly preventive or to treat an existing infection. The best effect is achieved by high dosage over the period of 1-2 weeks, and the maximum period of use is 8 weeks. For children, products with no alcohol content are appropriate.

There is a large number or dietary supplements which relieve the symptoms of cold and flu on the market. First of all, it is important to ensure sufficient amounts of liquids to cleanse the organism from toxic products, especially in cases of high body temperature. Therefore, the use of teas is extremely healthy which, in addition to hydration provide certain medicinal use.

Immunity enhancement tea

It strengthens the organism resistance. The tea enables sweating and urination which help to eliminate harmful substances from the organism.

Sage tea

Sage is a natural antiseptic. It is used for mouth and throat cavity rinsing. It reduces the irritation and inflammation of mucous membranes.

Linden tea

Linden blossom tea is used during the cold, to treat sore throats and flu, because it increases sweating, blood circulation and body detoxification.

Marshmallow tea

The active component is a mucous-like substance which creates a protective layer and moisturizes the throat and respiratory membranes thus soothing the cough reflex, sooths inflammation and eases breathing. It is effective in dry cough treatment, and can be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women and childen.

Galen laboratory products for cold and flu symptoms relief