A common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract- nose and throat. It is highly contagious but harmless, and in most cases, can be treated at home. While adults might develop a cold twice or thrice a year, children are likely to have frequent colds.

Although different viruses can prompt the symptoms of the common cold, Rhinoviruses are the most responsible for it. The viruses usually spread through the air, hand-to-hand contact, or sharing contaminated objects, food etc with the infected person and can enter the body through the eyes, mouth, nose and skin. The risk of exposure is more at schools, offices, restaurants and public transport.  If your immune system is strong, it will fight off the virus, otherwise, in case of a weaker immune system, the virus will infect your body and symptoms of a cold will appear.

While cold can happen anytime, certain situations and conditions could increase your risk of catching it. These include:

• Low immunity - A compromised immune system is at the risk of catching the disease. If you have just recovered from any illness, you are more prone to infection.
• Age- Children below the age of 6 are more prone to develop cold, especially when they go out and mingle with other kids.
• Seasonal factors- Winter, rainy season and sudden weather changes are one of the most common causes of virus spread which increases the risk of common cold or flu.
• Environment- Cold is one of the most contagious diseases. When you stay in proximity of other infected people, you are more likely to catch a cold.
• Smoking- Smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke disrupts the immune system and raises the risk of catching an infection. The toxic tobacco can result in irritating your throat lining and can worsen the symptoms of a cold.

Once you get infected with the virus, it might take up to 1-2 days for the symptoms to appear. They may also vary from person to person, depending on their immune system.
Apart from runny nose, sneezing and cough, the other symptoms of a common cold include:

• Congestion
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Body ache
• Chest discomfort
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sinus pressure
• Low to high fever

Be it major or minor, colds can make you feel miserable and hamper your daily activities. Though most of the time you might get better without treatment, it is always safe to try home remedies to manage symptoms and recover quickly.  
Some of the home remedies you can try to treat the common cold are:

• Stay rested - Resting helps your body save energy and fight the immunity battle. Stay indoors and let your body heal.
• Take Steam - Warm steam moisturises the dry and irritated breathing passages, helps in thinning the mucus and provides relief from nasal congestion and sore throat.
• Regularly blow your nose - It is imperative to blow your nose gently and let the mucus out of it to treat congestion.
• Saltwater Gargle- Gargling with salt water helps in easing irritation and relieving sore throat.
• Consume warm drinks- Sipping warm liquids such as lime water mixed with honey, soups, tea etc provide warmth to the throat and soothes the inflamed membranes of the nose and throat. They also help in relieving the congestion by increasing the mucus flow.
• Vapour rub: Topical ointments such as vapour rubs help in opening the nasal airways and ease up congestion.  

The best way to avoid having a cold is to take necessary precautions in advance, especially during the seasonal shift when people are more likely to get infected.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap
• Refrain from consuming street food regularly to avoid getting infected
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or face frequently with unwashed hands
• Don’t stay in the proximity of people for long, especially those who have cold.
• Clean the surfaces with disinfectants that kill the viruses
• Use a tissue while sneezing and dump it immediately after use
• Consume immunity-booster foods and drinks

Usually, the symptoms get managed with home remedies and light medication but if they get worsen with time, you must visit a doctor and get proper treatment. Sarvodaya’s dedicated department for Infectious diseases provides comprehensive care and treatment solutions for all kinds of simple to complex infections. You can also book an online appointment in advance for a hassle-free experience.