Managing Common Cold During The Rainy Season

Several illnesses exist during the rainy season. They can be termed the rainy season illnesses. These include: Flu/Influenza, Cough, Common Cold etc.

Today’s discussion will be the Common cold. I had to deal with a bout of cold a few weeks back and it was terrible. It felt is though it were more than the sneezing, coughing and runny nose. The feverishness was out of this world. I was literally sick!! Thankfully, with the use of some help I gradually began feeling better.

Currently feeling a little under the weather? There is no need feeling bad and isolated about being tied to the bed. Know that:

• No one is indispensible: Give yourself a break! Nothing lasts forever, take things one at a time. Anyone/Anything may become unnecessary at any point.
• You are not a superhuman, you can become sick and it may bring you down
  Sickness respects no one- Take some time off and take care of yourself.
• You are allowed to be unpretty and sound like a frog. Cold gives you that feeling for free. Embrace it and enjoy it..lol
• Go to the hospital when you feel funny. You can’t always assume that you have a particular sickness based on the symptoms. Get some medical attention.
• Use prescribed medication. Don’t buy drugs over the counter because you are afraid of the hospital. You might be misinterpreting the symptoms you are not a doctor. Allow the doctors do their job.
• Speak with the doctors and don’t sit at home in faith. It is not bad to have faith and get whole. But God has put the medical doctors there for a reason, so seek their counsel and pray as you use the medication.

It is no news that there are no vaccines to prevent the common cold. However, certain precautions should be ensured to slow the spread and keep the cold in check.

Hand Wash 

This is probably one of the best measure to prevent transmission of cold. Frequent hand washing can destroy viruses picked up from anywhere. Sometimes we are not mindful of our environment. After doing all sorts with our hands (touching all kinds of items), we are always very quick to take these hands to our face/touching some sensitive parts of our body. Unknowingly transmitting this virus thereby causing infections and illnesses. As such, it is important to thoroughly wash our hands with soap and water every other time e.g after a visit to the restroom, going to the gym, picking up dirty items, touching rough edges etc.  If soap and water is not available, get an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes. We need to teach our children to do this also, it ensures proper personal hygiene.

Disinfect Items And Your Environment

Be sure to disinfect your items always to minimize the spread of the virus. Buy kitchen disinfectants. Always clean your kitchen, toilets and bathrooms counter tops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold. Do not just wash, never forget to use a disinfectant.

Use Tissue

Sneeze and cough into tissue. Trash used tissue right away, and always wash your hands afterwards. Dry your hands after washing. As parents and guardians, we should teach our children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don’t have tissue available. That way they cover their mouths without using their hands.

Don’t Share

Do not share drinking glasses or utensils especially with one who has caught the flu. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick. This is just to prevent/limit the spread of the cold.

Avoid Close Contact

Try to limit close contact with anyone who has cold. Unnecessary touching without a proper hand wash afterwards would easily spread the cold virus.

Choose a Hygienic Care Center For Your Child

Take out time to ensure that you select a proper creche for your child. A place you are sure your baby will be properly nursed while you are away. Look for a child care setting with good hygiene practices and clear policies about good health care.

Show Yourself Some Love

Make sure you take good care of yourself: eat well, get some exercise, ensure adequate rest and manage stress well-studies have shown that stress weaken the immune system which most likely causes cold.

After taking these steps and still the cold kicks in, I decided a long time ago to always have a satchet of actified in my purse (based on doctor’s advice). So the moment I start feeling “cold-funny”, I don’t waste time in swallowing a pill. That way, I deal with the flu as it comes and do not even try to accommodate/embrace it.

Remedies For Cold

To reduce the feverishness and make yourself as comfortable as possible when you have a cold, you should:

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Water, juice, hot pepper soup or warm lemon water are a better option. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.

Get Enough Rest

Take some time off work, school or whatever makes you busy and rest well. Especially If you have a fever or a bad cough or are drowsy after taking medications. This will give you a chance to rest as well as reduce the chances that you’ll infect others.

Stay Within Fine Temperature

Keep your room warm not overheated. If the room is too cold, switch off cooling appliances and shut the windows especially in the rainy season.

Soothe Your Throat

A warm saltwater gargle — 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Also Strepsils and Vicks Lemon Plus are lozenges that soothe sore throats.