Common cold – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

In general, you don’t need to see the doctor for a common cold. But if symptoms worsen or don’t go away, it might be time to see your doctor.

Most people with a common cold can be diagnosed by their signs and symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you have a bacterial infection or other condition, he or she may order a chest X-ray or other tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Treatment

There’s no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment, usually within a week to 10 days. But a cough may linger for a few more days. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself while your body heals. For example, drink plenty of liquids, humidify the air, use saline nasal rinses and get adequate rest.

Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses and shouldn’t be used unless there’s a bacterial infection.

Relieving your symptoms can include using over-the-counter (OTC) medication to reduce fever, body aches, congestion and cough. Some remedies might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable. But there are pros and cons to commonly used cold remedies, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, nasal sprays and cough syrups. Don’t give OTC cold medications to children.

Pain relievers

For a fever, sore throat and headache, adults often turn to OTC acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

For treatment of fever or pain in children, consider giving your child infants’ or children’s over-the-counter fever and pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). These are safer alternatives to aspirin.

For children younger than 3 months old, don’t give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor. Don’t give ibuprofen to a child younger than 6 months old or to children who are vomiting constantly or are dehydrated.

Use these medications for the shortest time possible and follow label directions to avoid side effects. Call your doctor if you have questions about the right dose.

Aspirin is not recommended for children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children.

Decongestant nasal sprays

Adults can use decongestant drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Children younger than 6 years old shouldn’t use decongestant drops or sprays. Talk to your doctor before using nasal decongestants in children older than 6 years.

Cough syrups

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are intended to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds, not the underlying disease. Research suggests that these medicines haven’t been proved to work any better to treat colds than do inactive medicine (placebo).

If you use over-the counter cough and cold medicines, follow the label directions. Don’t take two medicines with the same active ingredient, such as an antihistamine, decongestant or pain reliever. Too much of a single ingredient could lead to an accidental overdose.

Don’t use over-the-counter medicines, except for fever reducers and pain relievers, to treat coughs and colds in children younger than 6 years old. Cough and cold medications have potentially serious side effects, including fatal overdoses in children younger than 2 years old. Also consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger than 12 years old. And it isn’t typically recommended that you give cough or cold medicines to an older child.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cold, try some of these suggestions:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are good choices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
• Sip warm liquids. Chicken soup and other warm fluids, such as tea or warm apple juice, can be soothing and can loosen congestion. Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are older than age 1. Try it in hot tea.
• Rest. If possible, stay home from work or school if you have a fever or a bad cough or are drowsy after taking medications. This will give you a chance to rest and heal, as well as reduce the chances that you’ll spread your cold to others.
• Adjust your room’s temperature and humidity. Keep your room warm, but not overheated. If the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing. Clean your humidifier according to the manufacturer’s directions to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds.
• Soothe a sore throat. A saltwater gargle of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1250-2500 milligrams) of table salt in 4 to 8 ounces (120 to 240 milliliters) of warm water can help soothe a sore throat. Gargle the solution and then spit it out. Children younger than 6 years are unlikely to be able to gargle properly.

You can also try ice chips, lozenges or hard candy. Use caution when giving lozenges or hard candy to children because they can choke on them. Don’t give lozenges or hard candy to children younger than 6 years.

• Try saline nasal drops or sprays. Saline nasal drops or sprays can keep nasal passages moist and loosen mucus. You can buy these products over-the-counter, and they can help relieve symptoms, even in children.

  In infants and younger children, apply saline nasal drops, wait for a short period and then use a suction bulb to draw mucus out of each nostril. Insert the bulb syringe about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 12 millimeters). For older children, use a saline nasal spray or saline nasal irrigation.

More Information

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Alternative medicine

In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on common alternative cold remedies such as vitamin C, echinacea and zinc. Because alternative cold remedies have not been studied in children, they are generally not recommended for use in children. Here’s an update on some popular choices:

Vitamin C

It appears that for the most part taking vitamin C won’t help the average person prevent colds. However, some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten the length of time you have symptoms.

Echinacea

Study results on whether echinacea prevents or shortens colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show some reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when taken in the early stages of a cold. Different types of echinacea used in different studies may have contributed to the mixed results.

Echinacea seems to be most effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue it for seven to 10 days. It appears to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many drugs. Check with your doctor before taking echinacea or any other supplement.

Zinc

Several studies have suggested that zinc supplements may reduce the length of a cold. But research has turned up mixed results about zinc and colds.

Some studies show that zinc lozenges or syrup reduce the length of a cold by about one day, especially when taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold. Zinc also has potentially harmful side effects.

Intranasal zinc might cause permanent damage to the sense of smell. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against using zinc-containing nasal cold remedies because they are associated with a long-lasting or permanent loss of smell.

Talk to your doctor before considering the use of zinc to prevent or reduce the length of colds.

Preparing for your appointment

If you or your child has a cold and symptoms persist or worsen or are severe, make an appointment with your primary care provider or your child’s pediatrician. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Your or your child’s symptoms and when they began
• Key personal information, including major stresses, other health conditions and exposure to people who’ve been ill
• Medications, vitamins or supplements you or your child takes
• Questions to ask your doctor

For a common cold, questions to ask your doctor may include:

• What’s likely causing these symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes?
• Are tests needed?
• What treatment approach do you recommend?
• What treatments should be avoided?
• How soon do you expect symptoms to improve?
• Am I or my child contagious? When is it safe to return to school or work?
• What self-care steps might help?
• I or my child has other health conditions. How can we manage them together?

Don’t hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• How long have you had symptoms?
• Have symptoms been continuous?
• How severe are the symptoms?
• Did symptoms improve and then worsen?
• What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms?
• What, if anything, worsens symptoms?

Your doctor will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor.

6 natural cold remedies to try this winter

Ah, yes, the dreaded common cold. While not as severe as the flu, coming down with a cold can make basic day-to-day activities more challenging. The sneezing, stuffy nose, and sore throat are never fun to deal with.

So, what can you do to ease some of the pain? Here are 6 natural cold remedies to consider.

1. Practice prevention

One of the best ways to manage a cold is to avoid getting sick in the first place. Easier said than done, right? While it’s impossible to avoid ever catching a cold, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk, like:

• Protect your immune system by staying healthy. Exercise regularly. Eat healthy foods — especially dark green leafy vegetables. And take good care of your mental health.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face. Cold viruses can live on your hands for up to 24 hours and they can enter your body through your nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Stay away from people who are sick.

2. Stay hydrated

Proper hydration can help your body fight infection. To ensure you’re staying hydrated, try to:

• Drink lots of fluids. This can include water, decaffeinated tea, juice (but skip anything with too much sugar), and soup.
• Avoid beverages that dehydrate you — like sodas, alcohol, or coffee.
• Set yourself reminders to drink water.
• Fill up a water bottle in the morning and make sure to sip it throughout the day.

3. Get some good rest

Fighting an illness can take a toll on your body. Giving your body the rest it needs can help your immune system fight off the cold virus. Here are a few ways to let your body naturally heal itself:

4. Ease your sore throat

A sore throat can be a constant irritation when you have a cold. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to soothe it. You can:

• Make your own honey, lemon, and ginger cough drops. There are several recipes available online — find one that works for you.
• Sip warm tea with honey and lemon.
• Gargle with warm saltwater.
• Drink warm, clear broth.
• Enjoy a cold treat like a fresh fruit ice pop.

5. Reduce congestion

When mucus builds up in your nasal passages and lungs, it causes congestion and a general feeling of stuffiness. Most congestion from a cold will clear up on its own over time, but you can sometimes reduce it if you:

• Use a cool mist vaporizer.
• Run a hot, steamy shower.
• Try a sinus rinse with saline solution.
• Place a warm compress on your face.
• Prop up your head with pillows before bed. This may allow some of your congestion to drain from your nose while you sleep.

6. Spice up your food

When your body is building defenses against a cold virus, inflammation can occur. Try adding some spices to your food to potentially reduce inflammation* — while giving your meal an extra kick of flavor:

• Add some turmeric, ginger, and garlic to soup.
• Sprinkle some cinnamon and clove in decaf tea.
• Use a dash of cayenne pepper in a dish to help temporarily clear a stuffy nose.

When to see a doctor

The old saying is true: There’s no cure for the common cold, so keep in mind that the above remedies are meant to help treat the symptoms, not the infection. The only thing that will truly make colds go away is time, and they typically last 1 to 2 weeks.

However, if you still aren’t better after a week or 2, start to feel worse, or develop serious symptoms — which can include persistent high fever, shortness of breath, or extreme weakness and lightheadedness — seek medical attention right away.

*Kunnumakkara et al., “Chronic diseases, inflammation, and spices: how are they linked?” Journal of Translation Medicine, January 25, 2018.

TOPICScold and flu preventionpreventionwellness

Common Cold Home Remedies for Natural Relief: Fluids, Neti Pots, Steam, and More

It turns out that your grandma was on to something. Soothing the common cold can be as easy as gargling with salt water and spooning down the chicken soup. Here are 10 cold remedies to try at home that will have you feeling better before you know it.

1. Drink Lots of Fluids

Good hydration helps moisturize the lining of the nose and throat, which makes mucus easier to clear. Aim to drink more fluids than usual. But be sure to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, as they can cause dehydration.

2. Use an Air Humidifier

You can also help keep nasal and throat passages moist by using an air humidifier, particularly in the winter months when heating makes the air inside your home very dry. Be sure to follow the instructions to keep it clean if you are using it infrequently.

3. Try a Neti Pot

Another way to prevent nasal dryness is with a neti pot, a nose-rinsing device found in drug and health-food stores (just make sure the device is clean and you’re using it properly to ensure that it’s safe and effective, according to the FDA). These pots are filled with a saline (salt water) solution and are inserted into one nostril while the user tilts his or her head to the side to allow the solution to flow up the nasal passage and out the other nostril.

4. Eat Chicken Soup

The adage about chicken soup being good for a cold is practically as old as the common cold itself. And there’s some truth to what your grandmother has been telling you all these years. “Chicken soup is nice for the common cold because it loosens up your mucus,” says Norman Edelman, MD, a professor of preventive medicine, internal medicine, and physiology and biophysics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a senior scientific adviser for the American Lung Association.

5. Take Echinacea

Evidence is mixed on the effects of echinacea on the common cold, but some experts say it can be helpful. “Echinacea does not prevent infection, but several studies have suggested that echinacea helps reduce the duration of upper respiratory infection symptoms,” says Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.

6. Reach for Some Zinc Lozenges

Like echinacea, the mineral zinc gets mixed marks when being assessed for its effectiveness against the common cold. “I have not seen any evidence for prevention,” says Dr. Fugh-Berman, “but there is some evidence — according to a review article published in the June 2013 issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — that zinc in the form of lozenges can decrease the symptoms of a common cold.”

7. Take Vitamin C

It’s up there with chicken soup as far as legendary cold remedies go, and there may be some truth to vitamin C’s being helpful. Get it as a supplement or by upping your intake of vitamin C–rich foods, like citrus, green peppers, dark leafy greens, and kiwi fruit. Several studies show that it can reduce the duration and severity of a common cold, according to research published in January 2013 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

8. Give Your Nose a Massage

Try massaging the acupuncture point known as yingxiang, located at the lower border of the nostril. Scientific research on the effectiveness of this technique is limited, but an older, small study published in the American Journal of Rhinology did find that this type of nasal massage can provide relief from nasal congestion.

9. Gargle With Water

Research suggests that gargling with water three times a day can actually help prevent upper respiratory tract infections. So gargle away, before that common cold gets any worse.

10. Stock Your Medicine Cabinet

Not exactly a home remedy in the traditional sense, but there’s no denying that over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies — such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Mucinex (guaifenesin) — can provide temporary relief. The American Lung Association recommends that these medications be taken as soon as common cold symptoms arise. If you have high blood pressure, though, talk to your doctor about OTC cold medications you should avoid.

And of course, there’s no substitute for eating right and getting plenty of rest to keep your immune system strong so that you’re in prime shape to keep those colds at bay!

Just so you know, Everyday Health may earn commissions from the shopping links included in this article.

Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?

Medicines

Oral over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines can cause serious harm to young children. The risks of using these medicines is more than any help the medicines might have in reducing cold symptoms.

• From ages 4 to 6 years: Cough medicine should be used only if recommended by your child’s doctor.

• After age 6: Cough medicines are safe to use but follow the instructions on the package about the right amount of medication to give.

Luckily, you can easily treat coughs and colds in young children without these cough and cold medicines.

Home Remedies

A good home remedy is safe, does not cost a lot, and can help your child feel better. They are also found in almost every home. 

Here is how you can treat your child’s symptoms with home remedies:

Runny nose: 

• Suction (with something like a bulb syringe) to pull out the liquid out of your child’s nose or ask your child to blow his or her nose. When your child’s nose runs like a faucet, it’s getting rid of viruses. Watch the video, Reasons Why Your Child Has a Runny Nose.  

Blocked nose: 

• For children 3 months to 1 year of age: Infants with a common cold may feed more slowly or not feel like eating, because they are having trouble breathing. Try to suction baby’s nose before attempting to breast or bottle-feed. 

• Use salt water (saline) nose spray or drops to loosen up dried mucus, followed by asking your child to blow his or her nose or by sucking the liquid from the nose with a bulb syringe. If you do not have nose spray or drops, warm water will work fine.

• Put 2 to 3 drops in the opening of each nose (nostril). Do this one side at a time. Then suck out the liquid or have your child blow his or her nose.  

• You can buy saline nose drops and sprays in a pharmacy without a prescription, or you can make your own saline solution. Add ½ teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup of warm tap water.

• Do nose washes whenever your child can’t breathe through the nose. For infants who bottle-feed or breastfeed, use nose drops before feedings. Teens can just splash warm water into their nose. Keep doing the nasal washes until what comes out of the nose is clear.

Sticky, stubborn mucus:

• Use a wet cotton swab to get rid of sticky mucus around the nose.

Coughing: 

• Do not give infants under 1 year honey; it will not help with symptoms and can cause a sickness called infant botulism.  

• For children 1 year and older: Use honey, 2 to 5 mL, as needed. The honey thins the mucus and loosens the cough. (If you do not have honey, you can use corn syrup). Recent research has shown that honey is better than store-bought cough syrups at reducing how often coughing happens and how bad coughing is at night.

• For children 2 years and older: Rub a thick layer of a mentholated rub on the skin over the chest and neck (over the throat). As with all medicines, once you are done putting the medicine on your child, put it up and away, out of the reach of children.

Liquids:

• Try to make sure your child is staying hydrated. When there is enough water in the body, the mucus the body makes becomes thinner, making it easier to cough and blow the nose. See Signs of Dehydration in Infants & Children.

Humidity (amount of water in the air):

• If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Moist air keeps mucus in the nose from drying up and makes the airway less dry. Running a warm shower for a while can also help the air be less dry. Sometimes, it can be helpful for your child to sit in the bathroom and breathe the warm mist from the shower.

Treatment Is Not Always Needed

If cold symptoms are not bothering your child, he or she doesn’t need medicine or home remedies. Many children with a cough or a stuffy nose are happy, play normally, and sleep well.

Only treat symptoms if they make your child uncomfortable, have trouble sleeping, or the cough is really bothersome (e.g., a hacking cough).

Because fevers help your child’s body fight infections, only treat a fever if it slows your child down or causes discomfort. This doesn’t usually happen until your child’s temperature reaches 102°F (39°C) or higher. If needed, acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) can be safely used to treat fever or pain.

Summary

If treatment is needed for coughs and colds, home remedies may work better than medicines.

Additional Information:

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

12 tips for how to get rid of a cold quickly

Last modified on
May 04, 2021 18:13 BST

Leanne Bayley

Do you know the difference between a cold and the coronavirus? How can you get rid of a cold quickly? Cold remedies include supplements and drinks that may help ease cold symptoms.

As lockdown comes to an end, you may find that minor coughs and sneezes are more common as being at home has meant we’ve been exposed to fewer colds and viruses. This might prompt us to frantically Google: ‘What’s the difference between a cold and coronavirus?’

The two viruses share similar symptoms; fever, chills, body aches, and a cough. However, it’s believed a runny nose and sinus congestion are very uncommon in COVID-19. While you may feel miserable when you have a cold, the symptoms are usually mild compared to more aggressive viruses like the flu or coronavirus. 

RELATED: 13 natural remedies for hay fever sufferers

If you find yourself suffering from a cold, don’t despair – colds don’t have to last as long as you think they do. Here, nutritionist Sarah Flower shares her top tips for getting rid of a cold in 24 hours.

How long does a cold last?

A typical cold will last on average 7 to 10 days and the cold virus will go away as over-the-counter medication eases discomfort.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

The symptoms of a cold include: 

• A blocked or runny nose
• A sore throat
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Coughs
• Sneezing
• A raised temperature
• Pressure in your ears and face
• Loss of taste and smell

Is it possible to get rid of a cold instantly?

There is no guaranteed miracle cure, however, there are definitely tricks you can try to help clear your sinuses and set you on the road to recovery within 24 hours. Follow the simple guidance below…

Top tips for getting rid of a cold fast:

1. Drink, drink, drink!

Keeping hydrated is absolutely vital to help ‘flush’ out the cold, as well as to break down congestion and keep your throat lubricated.  Try to avoid sugary or milky drinks, especially if you have a lot of mucus as this can often make it worse. Instead opt for water (sparkling water with lemon can be very refreshing), or soothing warm herbal, or fruit teas. Herbal teas such as sage, ginger, lemon, camomile, liquorice root, slippery elm and green tea can also help ease a sore, nose or throat problems. For those suffering from inflammation of the mucus membranes, fresh turmeric tea is perfect as an anti-inflammatory. 

READ MORE: You should do this every time you wash your hands

2. Up your Vitamin C

This well-known vitamin is extremely helpful when fighting infection, so at the first sign of a cold be sure to increase your intake by eating plenty of berries, citrus fruits, papayas, broccoli and red peppers which will help keep you protected.

3. Boil some bones

Bone broth is packed full of nutrients, including gelatine, collagen and a whole host of vitamin and minerals to help heal and get you back on your feet. Add some garlic for its powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-catarrhal properties, and some chilli, which acts as a natural decongestant. Turmeric, cinnamon and a dash of fresh ginger can also be added and will help to speed up your metabolism.

RELATED: 10 best supplements that will actually help boost your health

4. Use a supplement

 A melt-in-the-mouth supplement such as New Era Q can help to ward off symptoms of catarrh and sinus disorders, while New Era J can help those suffering from more general cold symptoms. When taken together, they promise to offer the ultimate protection from colds and flu. 

The importance of having the right supplements can’t be underestimated for immune health. Through common colds, flu season and COVID-19, scientific evidence has made it clear that the right combination of vitamins really can make a difference to how your body fights off infections.

Margo Marrone, Founder/CEO of The Organic Pharmacy and Homeopath, says she “wanted to combine the most important vitamins that were proven to help with the immune system and specifically the respiratory system, so (she) could provide some support during these unsettling times.” 

Immune Boost Duo, £55, The Organic Pharmacy

The Immune Boosting Day Supplement is rich in Vitamin A, D & C which all contribute to a properly functioning immune system. Vitamin A specifically helps the body fight off illness and infections, Vitamin C protects cells and aids their function and Vitamin D contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue as well as being essential for the overall health of bones and muscles.

The Immune Boosting Night Supplement supports the body’s ability to relax and therefore aids in quality of sleep. Seeing that the second arm of the immune system is a proper night’s sleep, it is important that it doesn’t get neglected. Infection-fighting antibody production is enhanced by deep relaxation and adequate amounts of rest. This spectacular mixture of magnesium and herbs reduces anxiety and allows the body to recover through a deep night’s sleep.

5. Step outside

When it comes to combating a cold, Vitamin D is essential in helping to regulate an immune response. During the colder months, many people become deficient in Vitamin D because they stay inside avoiding the weather but you need to make sure you expose yourself to the sun’s UVB rays by going outside for at least 15 minutes per day – even if it’s chilly. For those unable to do so, a great alternative is opting for vitamin D3 supplements. Taking one daily not only boosts the immune system and fights infection but can also help with depression, bone and joint and heart health. 

READ MORE: See the latest health and fitness stories

6. Stock up on Zinc

Try to incorporate plenty of zinc-rich foods in your diet, including pumpkin seeds, spinach, beef, wheat germ and cocoa. This is because the zinc will decrease the time period of the symptoms you are experiencing. You can also take a good quality supplement such as a Zinc Citrate daily.

7. Try Pelargonium

Pelargonium is a natural, herbal remedy which can help with respiratory infections, sore throats and general cold and flu symptoms. Take this remedy as soon as you begin to feel the onset of illness and continue until you see signs of improvement.

8. Take it easy!

We all think we are invincible and push forward no matter what but when feeling under the weather ensure you take some time out, turn off the Wi-Fi, grab the duvet, relax and de-stress. This not only feels good but can also boost your immune system. The perfect excuse for a lazy day!

9. Sleep

But, don’t just think you’re resting because you’re chilling out. Getting actual sleep is key as it will help your body to restore faster and fight off infection. This is your free pass to take multiple naps in addition to having a fair few early nights. If you need a helping hand, you should try… 

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10. Add moisture to the air

Winter is radiation season which means your house can become really dry leading to throat irritation. Of course, it’s probably too cold to turn it off altogether but counter it by adding a humidifier to introduce some moisture into the air too. It could really help loosen up your congestion. 

11. Buy some honey

Research suggests honey is more effective than many over-the-counter medicines. Honey has long been used as a home remedy to treat coughs and colds, but it’s often believed to work more on kids. Recent studies suggest can improve symptoms, particularly the frequency and severity of coughing.

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12. Take a relaxing bath

A warm bath can reduce a fever and ease any aches or pains. Try adding Epsom Salt and a few drops of essential oils to soothe your body and help to remove toxins.

Westlab Reviving Epsom Bath Salts, £24.99, Amazon

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Colds (for Parents) – Nemours Kidshealth

What Is a Cold?

The common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Most adults catch a cold from time to time, but kids can get eight colds per year or more. They’re the top reason kids visit the doctor and miss school.

What Causes a Cold?

Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses carried in invisible droplets in the air or on things we touch. These viruses can get into the protective lining of the nose and throat, setting off an immune system reaction that can cause a sore throat, headache, and trouble breathing through the nose.

Dry air — indoors or outside — can lower resistance to infection by the viruses that cause colds. So can being a smoker or being around someone who smokes. Smokers are more likely to catch a cold than people who don’t smoke, and their symptoms probably will be worse and last longer, and can even lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.

But despite some old wives’ tales, not wearing a jacket or sweater when it’s chilly, sitting or sleeping in a draft, and going outside while your hair’s wet do not cause colds.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Cold?

The first symptoms of a cold are often a tickle in the throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Kids with colds also might feel very tired and have a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. Mucus from the nose may become thick yellow or green.

Are Colds Contagious?

Colds are the most common infectious disease in the United States. They’re very contagious, especially in the first 2 to 4 days after symptoms begin. They can even spread for a couple of weeks after someone starts feeling sick.

Colds spread through person-to-person contact or by breathing in virus particles, which can travel up to 12 feet through the air when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes. Touching the mouth or nose after touching a contaminated surface can also spread a cold.

How Long Do Colds Last?

Cold symptoms usually appear 2 or 3 days after exposure to a source of infection. Most colds clear up within 1 week, but some last a bit longer.

How Are Colds Diagnosed?

Your doctor won’t be able to find which virus caused the illness, but can check your child’s throat and ears and take a throat culture to make sure the symptoms aren’t from another condition that may need treatment. If symptoms get worse instead of better after 3 days or so, the problem could be strep throat, sinusitis, pneumonia, or bronchitis, especially if your son or daughter smokes.

If symptoms last for more than a week; appear at the same time every year; or happen when your child is around pollen, dust, or animals, an allergy could be to blame. Kids who have trouble breathing or wheeze when they catch a cold could have asthma.

How Are Colds Treated?

Colds will clear up on their own without specific medical treatment. Medicine can’t cure a cold, but can ease symptoms like muscle aches, headache, and fever. You can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen based on the package directions for age or weight.

Never give aspirin to children or teens, as such use has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can be fatal.

Many experts now believe that there’s usually no reason to give over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants and antihistamines to any child younger than 6. There’s little proof that these medicines work, and decongestants can cause hallucinations, irritability, and irregular heartbeats, particularly in infants.

Can Colds Be Prevented?

Because so many viruses cause colds, there isn’t a vaccine to protect against them. To help avoid catching one, kids should:

• steer clear of anyone who has a cold 
• avoid secondhand smoke 
• wash their hands well and often, especially after blowing their noses
• sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow, not into their hands
• not share towels, drinking glasses, or eating utensils with someone who has a cold
• not pick up other people’s used tissues

Experts aren’t sure whether taking extra zinc or vitamin C can limit how long cold symptoms last or how severe they become, but large doses taken every day can cause negative side effects. Studies on herbal remedies, like echinacea, are either negative or aren’t conclusive. Few good scientific studies of these treatments have been done in kids.

Talk to your doctor before you give your child any herbal remedy or more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of any vitamin or supplement.

How Can I Help My Child?

To help ease cold discomfort, you can:

• Put saline (saltwater) drops in the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion.
• Rn a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture.
• Dab petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe rawness.
• Give hard candy or cough drops to relieve sore throat (only for kids older than 6).
• Run a warm bath or use a heating pad to soothe aches and pains.
• Run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where your child can sit to help clear stuffiness.

What about chicken soup? There’s no real proof that eating it can cure a cold, but sick people have been swearing by it for more than 800 years. Chicken soup contains a mucus-thinning amino acid called cysteine, and some research shows that chicken soup helps control congestion-causing white cells, called neutrophils.

The best plan, though, is not to worry about whether to “feed a cold” or “starve a fever.” Just make sure your child eats when hungry and drinks plenty of liquids like water or juice to help replace the fluids lost during a fever or from mucus production.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Always call the doctor if you think your child might have more than a cold, your child gets worse instead of better, or if your child:

• coughs up a lot of mucus
• is short of breath
• is unusually tired
• can’t keep food or liquids down or has trouble drinking
• has a headache that gets worse
• has facial or throat pain that gets worse
• has a severely painful sore throat that makes it hard to swallow
• has fever of 103°F (39.3°C) or higher, or a fever of 101°F (38.0°C) or higher that lasts for more than a day
• has chest or stomach pain
• has swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
• has an earache

Like most viral infections, colds just have to run their course. Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids — juice and water — can help your child feel better while on the mend.

Keeping up regular activities like going to school probably won’t make a cold any worse. But it will increase the likelihood that the cold will spread to classmates or friends. So you might want to put some daily routines aside until your child is feeling better.

Common Home Remedies for Sick Kids

Sometimes, parents can treat kids’ minor illnesses and conditions with home remedies or over-the-counter medicines. While you should always consult with your pediatrician, you may find that they recommend these simple treatments as well.

One pediatrician commonly prescribes the three S’s to patients when they have a cold: suckers, showers, and soup. Lollipops or suckers might relieve a sore throat, while the steam from a shower could help congestion. And of course, chicken soup is a common home remedy for colds and flu.

Home Remedies

Using home remedies isn’t all about old wives’ tale home cures, such as putting Vicks or Vaseline on your child’s feet when they have a night-time cough or rubbing a nickel on a wart to get rid of it. Common home remedies include treatments that can actually relieve bothersome symptoms.

As with prescriptions, herbal treatments, and vitamins, be sure to tell your pediatrician about all home remedies you have tried or are considering for your child.

Common home remedies that parents may be familiar with include:

• Bleach baths: Dilute bleach baths (1 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of water) may help children with recurrent skin infections, especially those with hard to control eczema and/or MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections.
• Chicken soup: Will homemade chicken soup help your kids heal faster? A lot of people think it will, but even if it doesn’t, a bowl of chicken soup will likely make them feel better, and will give them some electrolytes (from the salty broth) and protein (from the chicken.
• Neti pots: Using a Neti pot can help provide nasal irrigation for kids with chronic sinus infections, allergies, congestion, and dry nose due to exposure to dry air.
• Sitz baths: A sitz bath is a warm water bath with salt or baking soda that your child sits in for 10 or 15 minutes. These baths can be helpful for children with vaginitis or inflammation around their vaginal area, which can be caused by bubble baths, improper wiping, or wearing wet clothes too long after swimming.
• Tincture of time: This is a fancy way of saying “Patience,” or waiting out a condition. Tincture of time works well for most viral infections, especially for things like the common cold, stomach flu, and even warts.

Home Remedies to Avoid

While some home remedies are harmless (and may have benefit, even if it is just a placebo effect), there are some home remedies that are quite dangerous and should be avoided.

• Cleaning cuts and scrapes with antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol can damage surrounding healthy tissue. Use soap and lots of warm water instead.
• Ear candles may start fires and/or cause burns to the face, ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear. They may also injure the ear with dripping wax, plug the ear with candle wax, or cause bleeding or even puncture of the eardrum. See your pediatrician for manual removal of the ear wax instead.
• Gasoline, kerosene, rubbing alcohol, dog shampoo, or agricultural pesticides, sometimes used to kill head lice, can all be toxic.
• Giving aspirin to children and teens can be associated with Reye syndrome.
• Honey can be used to treat coughs. It is safe, and as effective as cough medicine, for children who are at least 1 year old. But honey can be contaminated with spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause botulism in children under twelve months old.
• Putting butter, peanut butter, or ointments on burns can hold heat in the skin, causing further damage. These treatments also increase the risk of infection.
• Some traditional herbal remedies and folk remedies, including Greta, Azarcon, Ghasard, and Ba-baw-san, may contain lead, and can lead to lead poisoning.
• Using rubbing alcohol or cold water as fever reducers are not effective. Rubbing alcohol can be absorbed through your child’s skin and cold water can cause shivering, which can actually raise your child’s temperature.
• Restricting milk and milk products when your child has a cough or fever is not helpful. Milk doesn’t cause mucus build-up or worsen a fever. Kids who are sick need fluids and milk provides important nutrients for many children.

Best Home Remedies by Illness

Try these safe and effective home remedies instead:

• Bee stings: After removing the stinger by scraping it out with a credit card (don’t pull it out with tweezers), home remedies for bee stings include applying a cool compress, meat tenderizer solution (soak a cotton ball in a mixture of one part meat tenderizer and 4 parts of water and apply it to the sting for 15 to 20 minutes), baking soda paste, or topical steroid to the bee sting.
• Colds and sinus infections: For a cold or sinus infection, remedies include rest, drinking lots of extra fluids, using a cool mist humidifier or steam vaporizer, and a Neti pot for chronic sinus infections. Remember that the use of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines is discouraged for use in kids under the age of four years.
• Constipation: Increase the amount of fiber in a child’s diet and decrease high-fat foods, which can be constipating. Provide a stool to prop their foot on when using the toilet. This helps them bear down, which can make it easier to poop. It’s also helpful to encourage daily exercise, and when necessary, use a stool softener. Karo syrup is a common home remedy for constipation that some parents try.
• Cradle cap: Cradle cap is usually a mild condition, but it can sometimes be more extensive and does distress some parents. Home remedies include simply waiting for it to go away as the baby gets older, rubbing baby oil onto the scales and crust and then washing it out after about 10 or 15 minutes, applying a mild topical steroid to the affected areas, or washing your baby’s hair with an antiseborrheic or anti-dandruff​ shampoo such as Selsun Blue a few times a week.
• Croup: Most parents are familiar with the home remedies for coughing from croup, which can include the use of a cool mist humidifier, taking the child into a steamy bathroom (close the door and turn on all of the hot water), or taking your child outside on a cool night. Keep in mind that steroids and/or breathing treatments might be needed for more severe cases, especially if your child with croup is having trouble breathing.
• Diarrhea: In addition to giving kids with diarrhea lots of extra fluids to prevent dehydration, extra probiotics are one home remedy that many parents try.
• Earache: When a child has ear pain, parents often try applying a warm or cold washcloth on the outside of the ear, using a heating pad on the ear, or placing a few drops of olive oil in the ear. A pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, will likely provide more long-term relief, though.
• Eczema: Recommended home remedies to prevent and control eczema often include the regular use of moisturizers and mild soaps or soap substitutes.  However, topical steroids, typically prescription strength, are often needed for flares.
• Fever: Treating a fever isn’t necessary, unless a child is so uncomfortable that they have trouble eating or sleeping. In that case, the best remedy is age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).
• Head lice: Most natural home remedies involve applying products such as mayonnaise or oil to smother the head lice, but no research has shown that these work. The most effective head lice remedy is to use an over-the-counter or prescription shampoo, followed by removing the nits and live lice with a lice comb and/or tweezers.
• Itching: Home remedies for itching, like from poison ivy, can include soaking in an oatmeal bath; applying a non-steroidal topical cream or lotion, such as calamine lotion, aloe vera gel, or Sarna Ultra Anti-Itch Cream, to itchy areas; or using wet dressings, compresses, or soaks with Domeboro powder packets (modified Burow’s solution). Oral antihistamines and topical steroid creams can also be helpful to treat itching, although steroids should be avoided if the itching is caused by a viral infection, like chicken pox.
• Jaundice: Jaundice is common in babies and the only real home remedy is to make sure that your baby is feeding well. Putting your baby in sunlight is not recommended as a safe way of treating jaundice at home, as it can cause sunburn.
• Reflux: Home remedies for acid reflux in infants usually begin with feeding babies smaller amounts more frequently and keeping them upright after they eat. If a baby’s reflux symptoms are bothersome, your pediatrician can help you with other treatments, which might include thickening your baby’s formula, changing to a formula designed for babies with reflux, or prescribing a medication for reflux.
• Swimmer’s ear: To prevent swimmer’s ear, place a few drops of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or a commercial product, like Swim-Ear, in a child’s ears after swimming. Treatment for swimmer’s ear usually includes the use of a prescription antibiotic ear drop, although an alternative home remedy might include drops made from white vinegar or equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
• Urinary tract infections: Drinking cranberry juice is a common home remedy for preventing urinary tract infections (and whether this works is not clear). But it is not a cure and can’t relieve symptoms. An antibiotic will need to be prescribed to treat your child’s UTI.
• Vomiting: Home remedies for vomiting usually include giving kids frequent small amounts of an oral rehydration solution or electrolyte solution. Your doctor may also prescribe Zofran if your child is at risk of dehydration from vomiting.
• Warts: Home remedies for warts range from the silly (selling your warts, or rubbing them with a variety of objects to get rid of them) to the downright painful (freezing or applying blistering agents). Although it may sound silly, applying duct tape to warts was shown in some older studies to be one of the better wart treatments available, although it can take up to two months for it to work. However, newer research says that duct tape is not any more effective than other wart treatments.

90,000 The most dangerous folk remedies for colds and flu

Influenza, respiratory viral diseases are a common reason for visiting a doctor during the cold season. The course of the disease largely depends on the causative factor, the strength of the person’s immune defense, as well as the presence of concomitant chronic diseases.

An important nuance is the methods of treating pathology. Many of us, not paying attention to the flu symptoms, continue to go to work, visit public places, and lead a normal life.All of this often leads to the development of complications.

Another reason for the appearance of undesirable consequences is the use of dangerous methods of treatment, which usually a person finds on the Internet or follows the advice of neighbors and acquaintances.

What can be dangerous folk methods, and why some of them absolutely should not be used? Self-treatment of colds, especially the flu, in most cases does not lead to recovery. The most that a person can achieve is a slight relief of the symptoms of the disease.

The use of folk methods may be accompanied.

• Development of an allergic reaction. This is especially often observed when using herbal remedies with which the human body contacts for the first time. Symptomatic allergy can manifest itself as a skin rash, itching, and more severe symptoms, for example, a sharp drop in pressure, laryngeal edema, and suffocation.
• Progression of the underlying disease due to the lack of effectiveness of folk remedies.The fact is that when using herbs and other methods, a person loses time, thereby allowing the infection to continue to multiply, and worsening his condition.
• A rapid rise in body temperature. The effectiveness of folk remedies cannot be compared with the speed of medical assistance. This can be confirmed by the fight against the growing fever. A person, taking antipyretics (antipyretic drugs), can prevent a further increase in temperature and a deterioration in general condition.If preference is given to folk remedies, the fever can persist for a long time, gradually depleting the body.
• Development of serious complications in children. The use of untested folk remedies in children is extremely dangerous, because the reaction of a small organism is unpredictable and sometimes you need to act quickly to alleviate the condition of the child. From folk methods, babies are shown an exceptionally plentiful drink with raspberries, currants, vitamin C.

Now we will more specifically consider what alternative methods can lead to dangerous complications.

• Steam inhalation using hot potatoes, herbal decoction. Such methods are dangerous in that a person cannot control the temperature of the inhaled vapor, which is fraught with burns to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. In addition, the uncontrolled use of inhalations can lead to the spread of infection and aggravation of inflammation. Nowadays, nebulizers, which are widely used both in pediatrics and in adults, are an excellent alternative. Due to the content in a pair of medicinal particles of different diameters, they can penetrate deep into the alveoli or linger on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.Thus, it is possible to act directly on the inflammatory focus, which is impossible with conventional steam inhalations.
• Vodka with various additives such as pepper. Drinking alcohol is accompanied by intoxication, which can lead a person to inadequately assess their condition. Due to the onset of drowsiness, he may not feel the growing hyperthermia and not respond to it in time. In addition, each of us has a different ability to “process” alcohol, so the same volume of vodka in one may not cause any reaction, while in the other it may cause poisoning.
• Recipes using initially hazardous ingredients, for example, poisonous mushrooms, kerosene. Gargling with kerosene, as sometimes advised for laryngitis, can burn the oral mucosa. In addition, inhalation of steam can damage the mucous membranes of the respiratory system.
• Banks are an old proven method, but not everyone knows how to use it correctly. Often, patients come to the hospital with skin burns, hematomas after placing cans.Complications are often observed in people with thin, sensitive skin, but a lot also depends on the “doctor”.
• Hot baths, sauna. In the acute period of the disease, when a person has a high temperature (above 38 degrees), malaise, body aches, “steaming” is strictly prohibited. First, the body temperature begins to rise. Secondly, the patient is dehydrated. Thirdly, inflammation in the body progresses.

To protect yourself from colds, flu, it is recommended to adhere to simple rules:

• regularly ventilate the apartment, do wet cleaning;
• monitor the humidity in the room;
• take vitamin and mineral complexes;
• take a walk in the fresh air;
• avoid contact with sick people;
• Limit the time spent in public places during an influenza epidemic;

90,013 enough time to sleep;

• eat right;
• dress according to the weather.

If, nevertheless, it was not possible to avoid the disease, you should not try to cure yourself on your own. Only a qualified specialist can accurately determine the cause of the disease, confirm the diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. Thanks to timely medical care, you can prevent the development of complications and soon forget about the disease, return to your usual life.

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90,000 Granny’s advice.Which of the popular ways will help a child with a cold? | TIPS | HEALTH

Colds can be contracted at any time of the year. But the maximum peak occurs in the autumn-winter period. And, if the body of an adult is more resistant to infections, then a growing child sometimes needs help in the fight against viruses.

Not wanting to “stuff the baby with drugs”, many mothers seek advice not from a doctor, but to Internet search engines or experienced grandmothers.

Which of the popular methods really work and is it worth listening to grandmother’s tips, or will it only worsen the child’s condition?

The questions of the “AiF-Prikamye” correspondent were answered by pediatrician of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences Galina Aleskovskaya.

You freeze on the street – you get sick

There is an opinion that a child’s cold may appear from hypothermia. The phrases: “dress warmer”, “don’t sit in a draft”, “freeze – get sick”, perhaps, are familiar to almost all of us. Can a baby really get sick if he freezes on the street?

“Indeed, after hypothermia, viruses or pathogenic microorganisms are activated, which provoke the development of the disease,” says Galina Aleskovskaya.- But hypothermia can only contribute to the development of infection, and the main cause is a virus in the child’s body. If a child has good immunity, he will not get sick. ”

Saline will help

“Flush your nose and the virus will not catch on,” our grandmothers admonish. Indeed, a common symptom of infection in children is a runny nose. At home, if you have problems with your nose, you can rinse with saline.

“The saline solution is very similar in consistency to blood serum, so it is not considered by the body as something alien.Additionally, minerals stimulate the cells of the ciliated epithelium to a more active immune response, ”explains Galina Aleskovskaya.

The benefits of the saline solution are great: the mucous membrane in the nose is constantly moisturized, does not dry out. Recovery is faster and the risk of secondary inflammation is reduced. In addition, there are no side effects from the saline solution.

In addition to fighting infections, this solution can be used as a prophylaxis. In a period of increased morbidity, during adaptation to a preschool institution or in contact with a patient, you can rinse your child’s nose with saline in the morning.

But the pediatrician draws attention to the fact that before using this measure, it is necessary to consult with a specialist, since each child is individual.

My hands are clean

“Wash your hands and there will be no infection,” our grandmothers are sure.

This is true. You should not forget about such a simple hygienic procedure as hand washing. Coming from the street, after visiting the toilet, after contact with banknotes, or with an animal, ask your baby to wash his hands.This does not mean that hand washing should become an obsession. On the contrary, overuse of hygiene procedures can be dangerous for the natural protection of the skin.

However, Galina Aleskovskaya notes that in addition to pathogenic microbes, there are other subspecies of bacteria on the hands. Some of them create a protective layer, neutralizing the action of pathogenic microbes. Therefore, it is best not to use antibacterial soaps.

Garlic and other helpers

Generations argue about the benefits of garlic.Some are sure of its beneficial properties and are ready to constantly eat it, while others, on the contrary, do not tolerate its pungent smell and, jokingly, say that it only helps from vampires. In addition to garlic, grandmothers recommend tea with raspberries and lemon, as well as honey for the treatment and prevention of ARVI.

“Prevention of ARVI by such means has no evidence base and has low efficiency,” the pediatrician believes. But when taken systematically, these products will help support the immune system.

It is important to note that some folk remedies such as lemon, honey and raspberries can cause allergies.They must be used with caution so as not to aggravate the patient’s condition.

In addition, it is important to drink a lot during the period of illness. The optimal drink for a child under one year old, according to a specialist, is a decoction of raisins, and after a year – a compote of dried fruits. The temperature of such a drink should be approximately equal to body temperature.

Temperature control rules

Often, a cold in a child is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Thus, the baby’s body responds to the infection.

Temperatures not exceeding 37.5 usually do not cause much concern on the part of parents. But, if the mark on the thermometer reaches 38 and above, mothers try to lower it by all means. Often at this stage, parents make mistakes: they resort to using vinegar and vodka for lotions or rubbing off the baby. Such methods are strictly prohibited. According to Galina Aleskovskaya, this can harm the child’s body. When using vodka, the child can get poisoned, since alcohol is well absorbed through the skin into the blood.Rubbing with cold water is also prohibited, this can provoke vasospasm. Rubbing the skin slows down blood flow, reduces the formation of sweat and the release of heat. The temperature of the skin does decrease, but the temperature inside the body increases. According to Galina Aleskovskaya, it is very dangerous.

To reduce the temperature and make the child feel better, simple rules should be followed:

• bed rest;
• plentiful drink
• Room ventilation
• air humidification
• wiping the child with a damp towel (34-35 degrees)

If the temperature continues to rise, an antipyretic agent should be given.

The pediatrician draws attention to the fact that if a child previously had convulsions when the temperature rises, then immediately seek the help of doctors. You should also not self-medicate if the child does not tolerate heat well, he has breathing problems, vomiting or diarrhea, the temperature has risen to 39 and above.

We do not get sick and do not advise you!

Often, when one of the children in a family falls ill, the rest of them become infected.In such cases, the pediatrician recommends, if possible, allocate a separate room for the patient, regularly ventilate it, carry out wet cleaning, do not forget about walking in the fresh air and the benefits of saline solution for rinsing the nose. The specialist notes that the above methods can serve as prevention, but there is no one hundred percent way to prevent infection. It all depends on the individual state of the organism. Therefore, you need to monitor your health and improve immunity.

It is up to the parents to decide whether to use the advice of traditional medicine or go to specialists for help. The main thing is to use grandma’s funds wisely.

90,000 Seven folk remedies for colds

A runny nose, cough, fever and general weakness we all used to call a cold. However, official medicine does not know such a disease; with the above-described symptoms, a record “ARVI” (acute respiratory viral infection) or “ARI” (acute respiratory disease) appears in the patient’s card.

No special medications for colds are usually prescribed – and they do not exist, at best the doctor will advise you to relieve symptoms with drugs based on paracetamol – the main component of all kinds of Coldrex and Fervex.It is believed that a cold will go away by itself, you just need to lie down at home.

In fact, such a superficial attitude to one’s health is not justified. The body needs help in the fight against the disease, at least in order to avoid complications. And here it is worth paying attention to the time-tested folk remedies.

Means 1: the simplest – tea

Black tea is brewed, lemon and honey are added to it instead of sugar. The drink is consumed in a dosage “the more, the better.”It should not be scalding hot, but moderately warm. With discomfort in the throat, honey is not only added to tea, but also dissolves very slowly without drinking.

How it works : Warm liquid (as well as the combined action of tannins and caffeine) will dilate blood vessels and activate perspiration. Lemon is a natural antiseptic, which is also rich in vitamin C. Honey, thanks to active enzymes, has a bactericidal effect, promotes the absorption of vitamins and normalizes metabolism.

Means 2: the most delicious – raspberries

Raspberry tea (100 g of fresh raspberries, 2 tablespoons of jam, leaves or dried fruits in a glass of boiling water, leave for 15-25 minutes) is an excellent diaphoretic and antipyretic agent.

The main principles of treating any cold:

• a lot of warm drinks to reduce the level of intoxication and prevent an increase in blood viscosity;
• stimulation of perspiration to restore normal thermoregulation and elimination of toxins;
• vitaminization (vitamin C is especially important) to maintain the body’s immune response;
• do not bring down the temperature below 38 degrees;
• Ventilate the room regularly to provide fresh air.

How it works: Raspberries contain natural aspirin – salicylic acid. It has a milder effect compared to aspirin and does not provoke stomach ulcers. In addition, tannins in its fruits and leaves inhibit the development of local inflammatory processes. Therefore, you can not only drink raspberry tea, but also gargle with it. Also in raspberries, as in other traditional cold remedies, there is a lot of vitamin C.

Remedy 3: the most fragrant – garlic

Mix garlic gruel or juice with honey in a 1: 1 ratio and take 1-2 teaspoons twice a day with a glass of water.Also garlic in the amount of 3-4 cloves can be chopped, poured with a glass of water and boiled for 15-20 minutes. It turns out “shock” means for inhalation (breathe, closing your eyes). It is not necessary to bury the juice of garlic in the nose, contrary to many recommendations, as this can cause a burn to the mucous membrane. Garlic really helps relieve nasal congestion. To do this, it must be crushed, wrapped in a bandage and held at each nostril for 5-7 minutes.

How it works: Garlic contains a lot of phytoncides – a kind of natural antibiotics.

Means 4: the whitest – milk

For a liter of milk add 4-5 tablespoons of honey, half a teaspoon of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, a few peas of allspice and bay leaf. The mixture is brought to a boil and infused for about 5 minutes.

How it works: Milk contains tryptophan, which is essential for the synthesis of the powerful anti-anxiety serotonin. In addition, milk contains a large number of beneficial enzymes that support the immune system.

Means 5: mulled wine

Add cloves, bell peppers, 3-4 tablespoons of sugar (preferably honey), half a teaspoon of nutmeg to sweet red wine (1 liter). Cinnamon, vanilla and cardamom to taste. Then unsweetened apple and lemon are cut and added to spiced wine. Bring mulled wine to a boil, leave for 15-25 minutes and drink warm. This drink is an excellent prophylactic remedy for colds.

How it works: Wine is a good antiseptic, in addition, it is rich in useful amino acids and vitamins.In turn, spices have a warming effect and improve blood circulation, and sour apples and lemon contain a lot of vitamin C. The whole complex of its components gives mulled wine healing properties. At the same time, you should not be treated with strong alcoholic beverages. From them to the weakened body will be more harm than good.

Means 6: the most extreme – fasting

Some adherents of therapeutic fasting advise at the first sign of a cold to completely stop eating for 2 to 4 days.You can drink the liquid.

How it works: It is believed that the lack of food activates the body’s defenses, directs them all to fight the disease. However, traditional medicine has an extremely negative attitude towards this method of treating viral infections, since during a cold, additional intake of fluid, vitamins, trace elements and nutrients is needed. In conditions of their deficiency, the reaction of a weakened organism can be unpredictable.

Remedy 7: the hottest – red pepper

It is believed that the ancient Indian healers were the first to use pepper for colds.The recipe is simple: chew half a red hot pepper and wash it down with 50 g of vodka, or add a coffee spoon of ground pepper to vodka and drink it in one gulp. The disadvantage of the method is that it is not suitable for children and adults suffering from heart and liver diseases. However, they can add pepper to tea.

How it works: Hot pepper has a vasodilating effect. In addition, he is a source of vitamin C. Vodka in this recipe plays the role of anesthetic. It smooths out the unpleasant sensations of burning pepper.A small amount of alcohol also promotes vasodilation, as a result of which blood flow improves and, for a while, general well-being

***

When choosing a remedy to fight colds, it is worth remembering that natural products also have contraindications. Honey has diabetes mellitus. People suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract need to be careful with lemon, red pepper and garlic. Raspberry decoctions are not suitable for heart patients and hypertensive patients. Thus, in case of chronic diseases or very unwell, do not self-medicate and consult your doctor at the first sign of a cold.

Olesya Sosnitskaya

90,000 ARVI: prevention, symptoms, treatment, are folk remedies safe

You caught ARVI: what’s next

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Alexey Kudenko / RIA Novosti

The Moscow Department of Health gave recommendations on what to do to prevent acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), how to check its symptoms, how to distinguish ARVI from other diseases, and how dangerous it can be to treat the infection with folk remedies.

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What to do to prevent ARVI

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Kirill Kallinikov / RIA Novosti

Acute respiratory infections are transmitted mainly by airborne droplets, therefore, in order to prevent infection during periods of rising morbidity, it is necessary to reduce the time spent in crowded places and public transport, and, if possible, use a mask.In addition, close contact with people who have signs of illness, such as sneezing or coughing, should be avoided. After visiting the street and using public transport, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. If possible, always have an antiseptic with you – a spray, gel, or wipes. We also recommend that you regularly do wet cleaning and ventilate the premises. An important condition for the adequate functioning of the body’s immune system is a balanced diet and exercise – eat as many foods containing vitamin C as possible, lead a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

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How to check the symptoms of ARVI

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There are many viruses that can cause an acute respiratory infection. Each pathogen has its own characteristics, however, in the overwhelming majority of cases, ARVI is accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, pain and sore throat, coughing, and fever. Headache, muscle and joint pain may also be present.For influenza, unlike other respiratory infections, a more aggressive course is characteristic – the disease usually begins suddenly, the body temperature rises above 38 degrees, of the symptoms listed above, dry cough predominates.

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What to do if symptoms are found

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At the first symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and flu, it is necessary to stay at home, so as not only not to infect others, but also to start treatment in time.With acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, it is important to observe bed rest, since with a disease, the load on the cardiovascular, immune and other systems of the body increases. For proper treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician and take medications in a timely manner. In addition, drink plenty of fluids. The room where the patient is located must be regularly ventilated and wet cleaning there as often as possible.

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How to distinguish ARVI from other dangerous diseases

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Alexey Sukhorukov / RIA Novosti

The main distinguishing feature of ARVI is the defeat of the respiratory tract, the presence of catarrhal symptoms such as a runny nose, pain and sore throat.However, in addition to respiratory infections, the same symptoms can be present in many other infectious diseases. In addition, the course of ARVI and influenza can be complicated by bronchitis and severe pneumonia. Therefore, self-medication is unacceptable, it is the doctor who must diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment corresponding to the condition and age of the patient.

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Is it possible to treat ARVI with folk remedies or medicines without a doctor’s prescription

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Operation of a mobile vaccination station on the square in front of the lobby of the Baumanskaya metro station in Moscow

Valery Melnikov / RIA Novosti

When symptoms of ARVI appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor, it is advisable to call a doctor from the clinic at home.Folk remedies can be used as an adjunct to mainstream traditional treatments. However, it is worth remembering that even at first glance, harmless infusions of herbs and decoctions, when taken together with drugs, can be harmful. Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of specialists.

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What to do if treatment does not help

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Dr.Wilfried Bahnmuller / Global Look Press

The doctor determines the optimal treatment tactics based on the patient’s condition. In most cases, ARVI can be successfully treated. However, due to various characteristics of infectious agents, the presence of chronic diseases, the age of the patient and other factors, including the late seeking of qualified medical care, a respiratory infection can cause serious complications that require emergency hospitalization.

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The most common mistakes in the fight against ARVI

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First of all, it is self-medication. Patients, when the first symptoms of ARVI appear, often go to the pharmacy instead of the clinic and are treated symptomatically (bring down the temperature, drink cough medicine), thereby erasing the clinical picture and aggravating the course of the disease. The uncontrolled intake of antibiotics is also extremely dangerous.It must be remembered that antibiotics for ARVI and influenza are not prescribed – they are used only with the development of bacterial complications (bronchitis, pneumonia) and only as directed by a doctor. In order for a common acute respiratory infection not to entail serious complications and hospitalization in a hospital, it is necessary to seek medical help as early as possible, and also to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations in terms of doses and duration of taking medications.

How to cure a cold: folk recipes and preventive measures – Tips

Colds can overtake at any time of the year, especially in the demi-season – in spring and autumn.Even a draft, as well as feet or clothes that are not suitable for the weather, soaked in the rain, can lead to illness. Fortunately, dealing with a cold is pretty easy, and not just with medication. The columnist “RIAMO in Podolsk” found out what are the popular methods of dealing with this seasonal ailment, as well as how you can prevent it.

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Cold symptoms

Symptoms of a cold are similar to those of influenza and ARVI, but their main difference is the absence of too high a temperature and a sharp deterioration in health.The whole symptomatic picture does not proceed in such an acute form as in diseases of viral origin.

A common cold is often associated with the fact that a person is very cold or wet feet. The first sign is chills: the patient cannot get warm, shivers, he is in a fever and “freezes”. On the other hand, he may feel that the inside of the body seems to have become very hot.

The next symptom of a cold is a runny nose. This is a consequence of freezing, the attack of pathogenic microbes and the inflammatory process in the body.In this case, the patient often feels a characteristic unpleasant tingling sensation in the nose.

In addition, with a cold, a patient’s throat may first experience discomfort, then perspiration, and then severe pain, which is accompanied by pain when swallowing. Also, there may be a slight burning sensation throughout the nasopharynx, especially when exhaling.

With a cold, the patient sometimes has an increase in temperature, but, as a rule, not higher than 37.5 degrees.

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Prevention of colds

In order not to catch a cold, first of all you need to protect yourself from cold, dampness and drafts.It is necessary to dress for the weather, and in case of freezing, try to drink hot tea with honey or jam. Also, in the off-season, it is advisable to eat foods high in carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins.

During an epidemic of influenza and SARS, you should try to use less public transport, as it is easy to pick up the virus there. At the same time, it is almost impossible to become infected with influenza and acute respiratory infections in the fresh air.

Doctors recommend to ventilate the premises and carry out their disinfection – not only with special means, but also with vinegar.To do this, pour 0.5 liters of table vinegar or 1 dessert spoon of vinegar essence into a small saucepan and put on fire. When the solution boils, you need to reduce the heat. The vinegar should evaporate in the apartment within 20 minutes. The procedure is repeated 3-4 days a week during the entire epidemic period.

Folk recipes for the prevention of colds

Traditional medicine offers many protective agents that protect the body from colds and prevent the spread of acute respiratory infections and flu.

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Cranberry juice

The most famous recipe for the treatment of colds is cranberry juice with honey. This berry drink is rich in its vitamins and is ideal for the prevention of diseases during an epidemic.

To prepare tasty and healthy cranberry juice at home, you need to crush the berries, and pour the resulting gruel into boiling water, after squeezing the juice into a separate container.The drink must be boiled for about 10 minutes, then cooled to 50 degrees, add the remaining juice to it and add honey to taste. Natural ascorbic cocktail is ready.

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Lemon oil

During epidemics, each family member should eat lemon oil, which is prepared as follows: put one lemon in boiling water for a minute, and then pass through a fine mesh of a meat grinder.Mix the mass with 100 grams of butter and 2 tablespoons of honey. Keep refrigerated. Use with tea, cocoa, baked milk, broths, as well as regular butter. You can add honey.

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Infusion of pine buds

Good results are obtained by taking infusion of pine buds. To do this, grind 2 tablespoons of pine buds, put in an enamel pan and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water.Heat with the lid closed in a water bath for 40-45 minutes. Insist 30 minutes and strain. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to a glass of broth. Take a glass 3-4 times a day after meals.

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Decoction of linden flowers and raspberries

It is also very useful to take a decoction of linden flowers and raspberries for the prevention of disease in case of an epidemic. To prepare it, you need to take 1 tablespoon of linden flowers and raspberries, pour 0.5 liters of water.Boil for 5 minutes, let it brew for 30-40 minutes, strain, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Drink a glass 4-5 times a day. This tasty and healthy broth can be given for prophylaxis to children who, as a rule, drink it with pleasure.

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Treatment of colds with folk methods

Fortifying infusion

When treating colds, you can make a fortifying infusion: take 1 tablespoon of linden flowers, red elderberry, coltsfoot leaves, oregano herb, raspberries.Put the ingredients in a thermos and pour a liter of boiling water over it. Let it brew for 3 hours, strain and add 2 tablespoons of honey. Drink the entire contents of the thermos in a day, take a glass at a time.

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For sore throat

The most proven and effective way to treat sore throat is to drink plenty of warm drinks. At the same time, it is advisable to add raspberry or currant jam to the drink, which are rich in vitamin C.The main thing is to observe the frequency of administration, for a quick effect it is recommended to drink warm liquid every 30 minutes.

To relieve pain, rinsing with a decoction of herbs – chamomile, plantain, calendula, as well as an aqueous solution of eucalyptus, freshly squeezed beet juice, saline of soda is suitable.

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For runny nose

One of the most unpleasant and common symptoms of a cold is a runny nose.It can be cured with eucalyptus oil. To prepare it, you need to take 15 eucalyptus leaves and grind in a coffee grinder. Then pour them into a small jar and pour over with olive or other vegetable oil. Next, pour water into the pan, put a rag on the bottom and put a jar of oil, tightly closing the lid. Simmer for 30 minutes. Let it brew for another 30-40 minutes, strain through 3-4 layers of gauze. Instill 3-5 drops in the nose every 2 hours.

In case of severe rhinitis and exacerbation of chronic sinusitis, heating with hard-boiled eggs helps, which must be carefully applied to the nose on both sides and kept until completely cooled.

Also, with a cold, celandine juice quickly helps, which must be instilled into the nose – 1-2 drops in each nostril. After 2-3 minutes, the tingling will stop, after which the procedure should be repeated. A total of one dropper should be applied to each nostril. This should be done 2-3 times a day. The juice has a beneficial effect on the tissues of the nasopharynx and maxillary sinuses, as well as the tonsils. It helps well against nasal congestion – after instillation, breathing is quickly restored.

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When coughing

Another unpleasant symptom of a cold is coughing.It is important to start treatment immediately when the first signs appear – with a sore throat.

One of the most famous folk remedies for coughing is warming up with potatoes, which helps with a wet cough. To warm up, it is necessary to boil 4-5 large potatoes in their uniforms so that they do not boil. After that, you need to lie down, put sheets of paper or a newspaper on your chest or back, and cut the potatoes lengthwise into halves and put on paper. Remove when the potatoes have cooled.After warming up the patient, you need to wrap it with a woolen cloth and let him lie down for a few more minutes. It is advisable to do the procedure at night.

Since ancient times, black radish juice with honey or sugar is considered a good remedy for acute colds. To prepare it, take a medium-sized black radish and wash it well, cut it into thin slices or grate it into strips. Place in a glass jar, pour over with honey or sugar and stir well. Close with a nylon lid and put in a warm place for several hours.Drain the resulting juice and take 1 tablespoon 3-5 times a day, with a strong cough – every hour. Re-pour honey or add sugar to the remaining mass of radish and leave to infuse, doubling the time. Then strain the juice, discard the remaining mass. Black radish juice helps to cure cough in a short time.

For dry cough, you can use a solution of burnt sugar. To prepare it, melt 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a pan until light brown, and then immediately dissolve it in a glass of boiling water.The patient needs to drink 1 tablespoon during a coughing fit and before bedtime. This remedy will help both adults and children, but babies should be given it no more than 5 times a day.

A mixture of 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 yolks of fresh eggs, 2 tablespoons of honey (preferably lime) and 1 teaspoon of wheat flour is considered to be a fairly effective remedy for coughing. All ingredients must be mixed well. Apply when coughing 1 teaspoon three times a day.

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Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation can help with colds. Treatment is carried out with warm or even hot steam saturated with easily evaporating medicinal substances. Especially useful are inhalations from solutions of crushed pine needles, fir, cedar, juniper, dried leaves of eucalyptus, oak, birch, linden flowers, chamomile, as well as mint, lavender, wormwood, sage, black currant leaves.

These medicinal plants have a disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect. The greatest effect is observed when a collection of several plants is used for inhalation. They can be brewed in a saucepan, and then, covered with a towel, breathe in the vapors. If you don’t want to steam your face, you can make a funnel out of thick cardboard and cover the pan with it. It is convenient to do inhalation using a small teapot or coffee pot, as well as a special inhaler, which can be bought at the pharmacy.

Duration of inhalation is 10-15 minutes. It is recommended to do 5 to 15 procedures per day. With a runny nose, you need to inhale vapors of medicinal plants through the nose, and with a sore throat and cough, through the mouth.

Addresses of pharmacies in Podolsk

You can buy all the necessary ingredients for the preparation of fruit drinks, infusions, decoctions and inhalations in the markets and in pharmacies.

Central City Market

Address : g.Podolsk, st. Komsomolskaya, 3

Phone : 8 (496) 763-42-44

Working hours : daily from 9:00 to 18:00

Pharmacy “36.6”

Address : Podolsk, st. Soviet, d. 33/44

Phone : 8 (496) 752-52-06

Website : http://www.366.ru

Working hours : Monday-Friday from 9:00 to 21:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00

Rigla Pharmacy

Address : g.Podolsk, st. February, 54/150

Phone : 8 (496) 763-63-80

Website : http://www.rigla.ru

Working hours : Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 21:00, Saturday-Sunday from 9:00 to 21:00

Pharmacy “Neopharm”

Address : Podolsk, st. Leningradskaya, 7, TC “Treasure Island”

Phone : 8 (496) 764-28-28

Website : http: // neopharm.ru

Working hours : daily from 9:00 to 21:00

Pharmacy “Old Doctor”

Address : Podolsk, md. Klimovsk, 50th anniversary of October avenue, 14/6

Phone : 8 (496) 762-66-83

Website : http://www.oldlekar.ru

Working hours : Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 21:00, Saturday-Sunday from 9:00 to 21:00

90,000 The most effective folk remedies for colds

The beginning of February turned out to be difficult: the flu was raging.According to the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 682 people are ill per 100 thousand of the population, this is 43.1% higher than the epidemic threshold in Ukraine.

We remind you that in case of a severe onset of the disease (high fever, body aches, headache, cough, chest pain), an urgent need to consult a doctor. “These may be symptoms of the onset of the flu, in which self-medication is dangerous,” says immunologist Arkady Mitloshuk.

But in parallel with medical supervision, it is important to help your body cope with a viral attack yourself.Elena Svitko, a naturopathic doctor, a herbalist with many years of experience, knows how to do this.

How not to let yourself get sick

As soon as you feel the first signs of malaise (it stuck in your throat, a wave of fatigue rolled over, a headache), you need to take a megadose of vitamin C. For example, a teaspoon of ascorbic acid. Alternatively, squeeze out half a lemon and drink the juice with ginger tea.

You can also make such a shock antiviral mix: 100 g of ginger, 100 g of garlic, lemon with peel (you must first pour over it with boiling water), grind half an onion in a blender and eat a tablespoon during the day, washed down with tea from hyssop.It has excellent antiseptic properties and is also a good expectorant.

A lot of mucus – eat buckwheat

Buckwheat has a lot of rutin, which, especially in combination with vitamin C, reduces vascular permeability. This means that it is more difficult for viruses to enter our body. In addition, buckwheat, like any other porridge, is an excellent sorbent that removes viruses and toxins from the body, pulls mucus out of it. Therefore, for viral diseases in which there is a lot of mucus (sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media), a buckwheat diet is recommended.For several days, or even a week, you need to eat one buckwheat. Unpolished rice also has good sorption properties.

Cranberry: virus killer berry

This red berry is an excellent natural antiviral drug. The substances contained in it surround the virus, capture it and destroy it. Therefore, during the period of viral attacks, cranberries should be in the daily diet.

You can make fruit drinks from it. It is necessary to crush cranberries (can be combined with viburnum), pour boiling water, leave for 5 minutes, strain, add honey to taste and drink.Attention: do not boil the berries. Boiling kills vitamins. It is enough to pour boiling water over it.

This tea, due to the high content of vitamin C, works to prevent colds. You also need to drink it if the temperature rises. It reduces it perfectly.

Lard and honey paste for colds

Take 100 g of propolis, 500 g of lard, 100 g of comfrey root, 30 g of naked licorice, 200 ml of aloe juice, 200 g of honey. Melt the lard and mix with chopped propolis.Simmer in a water bath for 30 minutes. Add chopped comfrey and licorice roots to the mixture, simmer for another hour, strain and cool. Add honey and aloe juice. Take: adults – 1 tbsp. l. three times a day, children – 1 tsp. For flu and colds, the ointment can be put into the nose, applied to cotton swabs, and also used to rub the patient’s chest.

Lung soup will help with coughing

The main concept of ancient medicine is that like is treated with like. Therefore, if you have a cold lung, you have to eat soup from … lungs.To prepare it, take 0.5 kg of veal or beef lungs, fill them with 2 liters of water, cook for an hour. Then add three onions, a few carrots, and celery. After another hour, put oregano, lemon balm, licorice root, thyme into the soup. Let the soup stand for half an hour and blend it to make a puree soup.

Alternatively, you can give only ready-made broth. This liquid can also be frozen. If a cough starts at night, defrost the medicinal broth and give the patient a few sips to drink.In the old days, whooping cough, asthma, and various bronchopulmonary diseases were treated with this broth.

After illness – aloe and nuts

Influenza, pneumonia take a lot of energy. Such a recipe will help to return them faster. Squeeze out aloe juice, grind walnuts, mix in equal proportions with honey, put in a jar. Store in the refrigerator to prevent fermentation. Give the convalescent 1 tbsp. l. everyday. This remedy is also effective for a lingering cough.

During the recovery period, homemade chicken broth will also help.Add a lot of roots (parsley, celery, licorice) to it, as well as thyme, ginger, carrots, onions – and you will have an effective remedy that increases immunity.

Oat broth is an excellent fortifying agent after infectious diseases. Take 1 kg of unrefined oats, 2 liters of water, honey. Rinse oats in water, fill it with new water. Boil until 1 liter is left of 2 liters of liquid. Add honey to taste.

5 popular questions about coronavirus: answers the Ministry of Health

Around the new coronavirus, which is rapidly spreading around the world, many questions arise.The most frequently asked of them were answered at the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Do pneumonia vaccines protect against 2019-nCOV virus?

The virus is new and special. A separate vaccine is needed against it. Scientists with the support of the World Health Organization are developing it. Vaccines against pneumonia, pneumococci and hemophilus influenza B (Hib) do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.

Can regular rinsing of the nose with saline solution prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

There is no evidence of this.There is little evidence to suggest that this measure can help you recover faster from a common cold.

Can mouthwash protect against this virus?

Certain brands of mouthwash can eliminate certain types of microbes in the mouth. But this does not mean that such funds protect against the new coronavirus.

Does sesame oil block the 2019-nCOV virus from entering the body?

No, it does not kill the new coronavirus.Some disinfectants can neutralize this virus on surfaces. These are disinfectants based on chlorine, 75% ethanol, chloroform. But all of these remedies have little or no effect on the virus when applied to the skin or around the nose. In addition, it can be dangerous, as it is toxic to the body.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not fight viruses, only bacteria.Therefore, they should not be used as a means of preventing or treating viral infections. If a person is hospitalized for the 2019-nCOV virus, antibiotics may be prescribed for concomitant bacterial infections.

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Health care institution “Glubokoye Central District Hospital”

Today, the pharmacy network has a sufficient number of effective medicines for the prevention and treatment of colds.But still, one should not discount traditional folk recipes, proven over the years. The use of folk remedies for flu or acute respiratory infections greatly facilitates the general condition of the body and helps to provide a significant rebuff to the disease.

Most often, during respiratory infections accompanied by fever, doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids. Therefore, now we will talk about useful and effective infusions for colds, prepared at home.

The ideal remedy for drinking for colds is Infusion Rosehip . This drink is saturated with vitamin C. Dry rose hips must first be crushed. Then pour 5 tablespoons of the dry mixture with one liter of hot boiled water, let it brew for 1 hour. You can use the infusion every time you feel thirsty.

No less valuable source of vitamin C – black currant . Fresh, frozen berries, leaves (both fresh and dry) – anything is suitable for preparing a healing drink.Blackcurrant jam can be used only as a delicacy, unfortunately, it does not possess healing qualities.

One of the most commonly used berries for colds is raspberry . Raspberries are used as an antipyretic agent. It is better to use fresh berries or tea, infusion of raspberry leaves and branches, jam, as already mentioned, just a sweet dessert, nothing more. Such folk recipes, even for children, will be safe and effective. To prepare raspberry tea, pour 2 tablespoons of the dry mixture with hot (not boiling water!) Boiled water, leave for 15 minutes.taken warm. After taking such a medicine, sweating will immediately increase, so you need to change it to dry bedding and underwear.

Regulate heat exchange processes in the body viburnum and cranberries. The berries are harvested in the fall. Fresh, grated berries with sugar are stored in the refrigerator. To prepare medicinal tea, dissolve 1 tablespoon of grated berries in a cup of warm water, take it warm.

Effective folk remedy based on linden .The preparation is simple: linden flowers are poured with boiling water and insisted for 1 hour, filtered and taken warm in small sips. Linden tea is very tasty and aromatic, has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect, soothes cough.

In case of a strong cough, freshly squeezed radish juice will help. This folk remedy has excellent anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. To prepare it, take 1 part black radish juice and mix it with 2 parts honey.Take 1 tbsp. spoon 3-4 times a day.

Not everyone knows that spices are a powerful immune stimulant and have long been used by our ancestors as folk remedies for the flu and colds.

During the cold season, cinnamon will help protect the body. Pour half a teaspoon of cinnamon with a glass of boiling water, add half a teaspoon of honey and a little, on the tip of a teaspoon, black pepper. Such a remedy has excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

At the first signs of a sore throat, cloves will help. It is necessary to grind it (or take it already ground), add a little (at the tip of a teaspoon) to a glass of boiled milk and leave for 10 minutes. Drink in small sips or gargle a sore throat.

To strengthen the immune system and as a remedy for cough, ginger tea is used. Pour boiling water over a few pieces of pre-peeled plant and leave for 20 minutes. If desired, you can add honey and lemon juice to the finished drink, take a cup three times a day.

Unfortunately, ginger, like almost any other plant, is not useful for everyone. Therefore, consult your doctor before using ginger.

If the symptoms of the disease persist, then you cannot postpone the visit to a specialist. In some situations, only medications prescribed by a doctor can cope. This is especially important if a small child or a pregnant woman is sick.

Paramedic-valeologist Inna Dubina

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