Some people believe that hot drinks and good heating alone can help treat a cold. This is a completely wrong belief, because the common cold is a common viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system, especially the nose and throat. Therefore, it needs a good treatment protocol so that it does not develop and cause complications for the respiratory system. Follow this article with us to learn about the best way to treat colds for adults, children, and pregnant women, along with ways to prevent them.
Ways to treat colds
The common cold is one of the most common viral infections. As we mentioned, it affects the respiratory system, so millions of people search every day for approved cold treatment methods that usually last from a week to 10 days so that the matter does not develop into a severe cold that affects the body. The most important of these methods are:
Home remedies
A cold patient needs home treatment based on some natural treatments and recommendations, such as:
- Get enough rest, which helps the immune system fight the virus.
- Drink plenty of warm fluids and water to prevent dehydration and relieve sore throat.
- Prepare a bowl of hot water and inhale the resulting steam, which contributes to relieving nasal congestion and inflammation.
- Good nutrition and rely mainly on foods rich in vitamin C to relieve cold symptoms.
Medications to treat severe colds
We can never forget the basic method of getting rid of colds, which is the medications that doctors carefully prescribe, and among the most important medications for treating severe colds are the following:
- Analgesic medications that treat fever and relieve severe body pain, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Decongestant medications that reduce nasal congestion, including nasal sprays containing phenylephrine.
- Sedatives and cough suppressants that are used for coughs associated with a cold, and it is recommended to use them with extreme caution.
- Antihistamines that help reduce runny nose and treat sneezing, and include many commercial names.
- Antibiotics are never recommended to treat the common cold because it is a viral infection and antibiotics are not helpful.
Cold treatment for children
Treatment of the common cold for children may differ slightly from that for adults. The protocol relies on natural treatments in addition to medications prescribed by the pediatrician in specific doses. Treatment includes the following:
- Provide warm liquids with natural honey abundantly because the child usually suffers from loss of appetite with colds.
- The child should wear several layers of clothing to treat chills and fever, which can be loosened if necessary.
- Giving an antipyretic, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to relieve pain and treat fever and chills.
- Putting some drops of salt solution in the child’s nose and then suctioning out the mucus using a syringe is helpful in treating nasal congestion.
- Many children suffer from coughing with a cold, so it is recommended to give the child cough medicines that help treat severe coughs in children.
Book your consultation now at Respiratory disease clinic At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Treatment of colds for pregnant women
Colds are very common during pregnancy due to the mother's low immunity during that period. Some colds may improve within a few days and do not pose any harm, but some cases may cause coughing attacks, which requires treating the pregnant woman's cold quickly so that it does not affect the stability of the pregnancy.
The doctor usually recommends mild analgesics such as paracetamol and drinking fluids to treat fever and pain in cases of mild colds, but in some pregnant women it may develop into a severe viral infection, which requires antiviral medications. It is strictly forbidden to take any medication without going to a specialist doctor so that there is no harm to the fetus.
You can see Respiratory diseases What are its most important symptoms?
كيفية Prevention of cold and flu
Here are the most important tips that help in preventing colds and flu, presented to you by the specialist doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, and they include:
- Receiving the annual influenza vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure to the common cold.
- Paying attention to personal hygiene and not sharing personal tools with anyone to limit viral infection.
- Avoid touching the face with unclean hands, especially outside the home, in order to reduce the chances of transmitting the infection that causes the common cold.
- Use a tissue when sneezing or coughing to limit the spread of the virus, especially among members of the same family.
- Relying mainly on foods rich in vitamin C in the winter, the most important of which are oranges, guava, and lemon.
- Exercise daily and get enough rest to maintain a healthy immune system.
- Ventilate indoor spaces in the house daily and expose them to sunlight, which purifies the air and eliminates bacteria.
Treating a cold is not a complicated matter, but it requires follow-up with a doctor who is aware of the appropriate protocol for treating it, especially with special cases such as children or pregnant women. Therefore, the doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provide you with distinguished medical service around the clock. You can contact us to detect colds and determine the appropriate treatment. Your health is important to us.
FAQs
Below, we will learn together the most important questions about ways to treat the common cold with medicines and natural means, and we will answer them in detail:
How do I get rid of a runny nose and cold?
You should take the medications recommended by doctors to get rid of a runny nose and cold, in addition to eating warm foods and drinks that contain vitamin C to reduce symptoms.
What drink stops a runny nose?
Drinks rich in vitamin C help greatly in stopping a runny nose, such as lemon or ginger drinks, but medications prescribed by a doctor cannot be dispensed with.
What is the quickest treatment for colds?
A cold or influenza is a viral disease that takes a specific period of time in the body. Therefore, it cannot be said that there is a quick treatment that treats a cold in a day or two. Rather, a course of treatment must be followed for at least a week to ensure rapid improvement and not recurrence of the infection.
Does lemon eliminate colds?
No, lemon alone does not eliminate the cold, but rather it only helps in relieving the symptoms because it is rich in vitamin C, so it can be used with the cold medications we mentioned.
Sources and references
