How To Treat A Cold

Name: Andri Saputra NIM: PO.71.20.1.11.004 Grade: IIB.1 Subject: English

Introduction
The common cold, usually referred to as just a cold is caused by a viral infection in the upper airways, sinuses, throat and nose. Experts say a cold affects primarily the nose. There may also be a fever In the vast majority of cases, despite making you feel dreadful with all the sneezing, sore throat, cough, and runny nose, a cold is a selflimiting infection; this means it gets better on its own without requiring any special treatment

Should I use antibiotics for a cold?

 Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections. Colds are caused by viruses and do not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics will not help you get better any faster, neither will they prevent you from passing it onto other people. British Medical Journal (BMJ) informed that fear of complications is not a good enough reason to prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infection (common cold).

Avoid becoming dehydrated when you have a cold

Water and other fluids and drinks Sweating and runny noses, common when people have a cold, can cause dehydration. This loss of fluids needs to be constantly replaced. The best drink is water. When you have a cold, drink plenty of water. Chicken soup Experts believe that chicken soup really does help relieve the symptoms of colds. It is believed to inhibit the movement of neutrophils, immune system cells which cause inflammation and also helps the movement of mucus. Chicken soup is also watery and may help with dehydration.

Getting plenty of rest will not only help alleviate some of the symptoms, and make you feel less miserable, it may also reduce the duration of your cold. Rest will help your immune system fight off the virus infection more effectively. There is no recommendation regarding how long you should rest up, or stay off work or school.

Good Hygiene
This is important to prevent the spread of infection. Stay away from work or school while you do not feel well. Cover your mouth with a tissue if you sneeze

or cough, or cough into the inside of your elbow

Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw it away into a trash can immediately, and wash your hands with warm water and soap. If you have no tissues and cough or sneeze, do so into the inner part of your elbow, because that part of the body does not then contaminate surfaces (your hands might).

Antihistamines might help cold symptom, but..... Sedating (first generation) Antihistamines may alleviate some cold symptoms slightly, such as the watery eyes, runny nose, coughs and sneezes. Experts are not sure, though, whether the benefits of using antihistamines really outweigh the side effects. Studies have come back with mixed results. Many specialists say that antihistamines dry up nasal membranes, which slows down mucus flow, undermining the nasal passages' ability to get rid of germs.

Decongestant help breathing

Decongestants are medications that shrink the swollen membranes in the nose, allowing for easier breathing. There are oral or nasal decongestants. Nasal decongestants should not be used for more than five days. Longer usage may actually block up the nose more. Patients with hypertension should not use decongestants. Many researchers are not sure whether decongestants really work, or whether they are worth recommending because they only work for a very short time.

What if I have fever and/or painkiller?

Painkillers and Antipyretics (drugs to reduce fever) may be helpful. Although a high fever may not be desirable, a slight fever is not such a bad thing. It helps the body fight off infections more rapidly. When your body temperature rises, find it harder to reproduce. However, if you feel bothered and uncomfortable, an antipyretic is usually OK. Aspirin should only be taken by older adults, not children nor young adults. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol), Advil or ibuprofen are effective for the treatment of fever or pain.

Air humidifier in very dry environment

An air humidifier during the cold months, when the central heating dries the air out, an air humidifier will help keep the throat and nasal passages moist.

 Thank You

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