Colds are a mild infection of the nose, sinus tract, throat, and upper respiratory tract due to a virus attack. Colds can be experienced by anyone, from children to adults. A person who has a cold will experience symptoms such as:
- The nose continues to runny nose
- Sneeze often
- Cough often
- Non-smooth breathing (nasal congestion)
- Unwell
- Hoarseness
Virus entered → Incubation (2-3 days) → Symptoms appear → Peak symptom severity (2-3 days) → Symptoms gradually recover until complete recovery (time varies)
Toddlers tend to experience symptoms of colds for longer than children who are above or adults. Colds in toddlers can last ten days to two weeks, whereas in children over the age of five or adults it usually lasts a week to ten days (except for cough symptoms that can last 2-3 weeks).
Children are more vulnerable and more common with colds than adults. It is estimated that children can experience as much as 8-12 times a year, while adults only 2-4 times.
The symptoms mentioned above are the main symptoms of colds. In addition, there are also other symptoms that rarely accompany, including:
- Headache
- Fever
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
- Itchy throat
- Throat pain
- Like there is pressure on the face and ears
- Watery eyes
- Ear pain
- Muscle ache
- The body feels tired
- Loss of appetite
- Causes of Colds
Human rhinovirus (HRV) is a group of viruses that cause the most colds. In addition to the virus, this disease can also be caused by coronaviruses, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Viruses enter the human body through the nose, mouth, or even the eyes before incubating and causing symptoms. Influx of the virus can occur when inadvertently inhaling sparks from people with cold in the air released through sneezing or coughing. In addition, the virus can also enter when someone holds the body of a cold person or the surface of objects that have been contaminated with saliva splashes that contain cold viruses, then hands holding their own nose, mouth, or eyes.
Here are a number of factors that can increase the risk of getting a cold, including:
Being in the middle of a crowd (in markets, schools, offices, or public transportation)
Have a low immune system
Have a history of chronic disease
Age of children
Smoke
Cold air
Colds Treatment
Colds are a mild viral infection. When experiencing a cold, a person or children are encouraged to rest adequately, eat foods that are high in fiber and low in fat, and drink lots of water to replace fluids lost from the body due to a nose that keeps snot or body that sweats frequently .
As for relieving cold symptoms, there are several ways that can be done, including:
Apply balm. This method can relieve cold symptoms, especially in infants and toddlers. Apply the balm to the back or chest, and do not get into the nostrils because in addition to feeling sore, it can also interfere with the airway.
Eat sweets containing menthol and rinse with salt water. Both of these methods are believed to help relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and sore throat.
Drop salt solution into the nose. This method can relieve symptoms of nasal congestion and improve breathing, especially in infants and children.
Taking zinc supplements and vitamin C. Both of these methods are believed to reduce the severity of symptoms and speed up the healing of colds when directly applied when new cold symptoms appear.
Take drugs that can be bought freely at the pharmacy. To relieve nasal congestion symptoms, try to take drugs that contain decongestants. As for relieving fever and pain, use painkillers ibuprofen or paracetamol. Even though it is sold freely at pharmacies, you must still adhere to the rules of use. It is important to read the usage instructions listed on the packaging (or if necessary ask the pharmacist or doctor) because some of the drug products are not suitable for babies, children, pregnant or lactating women, and people who are suffering from certain conditions.