How to prevent respiratory tract infection (cold)

I once granted an interview to a correspondent of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan, on the effects of the rainy season. I emphasised on cold as one of the effects of harmattan or rainy season but after the interview, the world common cold keep ringing in my ears.

Common cold is common and it occurs throughout the years even though there are increased cases during harmattan and rainy season due to the harsh weather. It is the most frequently occurring illness all over the world, and it is a leading cause of visits to doctors and missed days from school and work. 

It is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses.

Children in preschool and elementary school can have cold monthly while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year.

Flu has been used  interchangeably with the common cold but they are not the same thing. The ‘flu’, which is also known as influenza, is caused by a different virus (influenza A or B). Influenza is much more serious than a cold and can be life-threatening.

 A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms can make one feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make one quite ill for a few days to weeks.

The flu can also result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and hospitalisations. Flu can also be prevented by Influenza (Flu) vaccine.

Transmission

The common cold virus is typically transmitted via air- borne droplets, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, hand-to-hand , hand-to-surface or contaminated objects.

Transmission is common in daycare and at school due to the proximity of many children with little immunity and frequently poor hygiene. These infections are then brought home to other members of the family. Some of the viruses that cause the common colds are seasonal, occurring more frequently during cold or wet weather. 

Poor immune function, stress, insufficient sleep and malnutrition  are also a risk factor for disease.

Breast feeding decreases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections among other diseases and it is recommended that breast feeding be continued when an infant has a cold.

Symptoms

Cold symptoms usually last five to seven days. During the first three days, it is very contagious. This means you can pass the cold to others. So stay at home and get some much-needed rest.

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Nasal symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, congestion, cough and headache often occur by the fourth and fifth days.

Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight fever is possible. Children are more likely to have a fever with a cold. A dry cough can last up to two weeks even after you feel better.

Coloured discharge from the nose is a normal part of your immune response and doesn’t mean that you need antibiotics.

Treatment

• No cure for the common cold exists, but the symptoms can be treated.
• Paracetamol is effective for fever and mild pain, and is a common ingredient in many ‘cold and flu’ medicines.
• Nasal decongestants can help to ease a blocked nose. They work in the nose by reducing blood flow and swelling, making it easier to breathe.
• Sore throats can be relieved with gargling salt water; licking throat lozenges, other home remedies are sipping a warm drink with lemon and honey and eating garlic.
• Antibiotics do not help treat colds and overuse may lead to resistance, making them less effective when they are needed.
• They can also cause many unwanted side effects such as allergic reactions, diarrhoea and thrush. However, if cold symptoms do not seem to be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial infection, which means you may need the antibiotics.

Prevention

• The most important prevention measure for preventing colds and flu is frequent hand washing. Hand washing by rubbing the hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based hand sanitiser and hand wipes helps to slough germs off the skin.
• Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue. If you can’t reach a tissue on time, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.
• Avoid sharing utensils, drinking glasses, washcloths, towels and other items that might harbour germs with anyone who has a cold or fever.
• Avoid close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold or other communicable infection.

In conclusion, let’s take the preventive measures to reduce the spread of cold especially during this rainy season.