common cold facts
Common Cold Facts
As the name rightly suggests, common cold is one of the most common medical conditions in human beings. Go through this article for a brief overview about the condition.
- Contrary to popular belief, a common cold is not caused by bacteria and so, antibiotics may not prove useful in treating the condition. There is no vaccination for this condition.
- It is caused by viruses. There are around 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold. These include rhinoviruses, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus, enteroviruses, metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. A single virus can produce around sixteen million viruses in a single day.
- One of the interesting common cold facts is that it is difficult for the body to develop total immunity against the condition. This is due to the wide range of cold-causing viruses. Apart from them, new ones develop on a constant basis.
- Transmission of common cold viruses is often caused by breathing of air contaminated with these viruses or by touching contaminated surfaces. It is interesting to find that viruses on hand may not infect the person, unless and until, it gets in touch with the nose, eyes or mouth.
- We all know that the symptoms of a common cold are annoying and can cause intense discomfort. Such symptoms include sneezing, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal discharge and congestion, sore throat and even fever.
- Another common cold fact is that the symptoms of the condition are not caused by the action of the virus. In fact, it is the immune system reaction that aims at eliminating the virus. In other words, these symptoms are actually the part of the natural mechanism of the body to get rid of the virus. You will be surprised to know that those with strong immune systems may develop severe symptoms.
- In fact, there is no cure for the common cold. It is a self-limiting disease that subsides within ten days. So, home remedies are usually tried to reduce the severity of the symptoms and for faster healing.
- Do you know that proper rest can help to cure the condition. Other remedies include steam inhalation, salt water gargling, intake of lots of fluids, especially, herbal teas and chicken soup.