How to combat cold

There is need to manage cold effectively to prevent it from becoming complicated upper tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, during the rainy season, an expert has said.

The General Manager, Aviation Medical Clinic, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr Morenike Kukoyi said during such period, it is common to catch cold.

She described cold as an infectious discharge from the nose, saying: “The discharge is ‘very clear and watery’ but when there is a bacterial infection, it becomes yellowish. It could be infective or non-infective. When it is infectious it is known as flu or influenza, but when it is not, it is known as an allergy.”

Dr Kukoyi said cold and flu viruses were spread by droplets, which are air borne infections that are coughed or sneezed out by those infected. “Sneezing or coughing produces more droplets and helps spread the infection. Touching infected surfaces, such as door handles or shaking hands, could transmit the virus either from hand to mouth, nose or eyes.”

Kukoyi said: “There is not much difference between cold and flu because cold is as a result of a viral infection which makes it communicable to others and each year thousands of people die of complications following flu. Cold and flu share some of the symptoms -sneezing, coughing, sore throat, but are caused by different viruses.

“Cold is the irritation of the nasal passage with production of mucus. For a period of one or two years it may be one virus that roams around the environment and it takes about 12 to 24 months for the development of a new virus. The symptoms of cold can range from a sore throat, running noise, sneezing, cough, mild fever, tiredness and headache.

“And it could last for one or two days while some could last for up to two weeks. People with serious chest complications, such as pneumonia and bronchitis are more at risk.”

She said children are more at risk of the infection, especially those with low immunity, diabetes, asthma, or effects of medical treatments and other childhood diseases. They easily contract or even spread the causal agents, especially when they cough, for they use that same hand to shake other people and also to eat, and some mothers don’t wash those hands.

On best ways to overcome the conditions, she said: “In order to prevent getting a cold or flu, individuals should endeavour to have personal hygiene, and a well ventilated area, stay away from people infected with the virus, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing and then washing the hands regularly.

“Maintaining a good dietary balance is another way of preventing cold or flu so that the immunity of one’s body is kept high as the body defense mechanism (white blood cells).

“An individual can also treat cold or flu by taking natural antibiotics such as garlic or ginger, menthol leaf, plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, honey to help relieve the fever or pain, get plenty of rest as well, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to boost your immunity,” said Mrs Kukoyi.