Wage war against the common cold and other viruses with these combat-and-conquer strategies.
There are more than 200 viruses that have been identified as being responsible for the numerous varieties of cold and influenza around the world. Besides the common cold, cough, viral fever and other viral infections such as stomach flu are other ailments that can plague children with weaker immune systems or who already suffer from allergic disorders. The number of cold infection cases usually spikes during the rainy season. However, kids who are placed in regular childcare may also be more prone to catching the common cold throughout the year as they are exposed more frequently to the presence of other children, who may or may not be ill with a virus-borne infection too.
The most common virus, which accounts for about a third of all infections, is the rhinovirus. The common cold, which is the most frequent of all viral infections, is caused by the rhinovirus that enters the body through the mouth or nose, and which goes on to infect the upper respiratory tract. The common cold is contagious as it is caught mainly by inhaling in the air which bears droplets sprayed by the infected person when he or she coughs, sneezes or talks. The common cold virus can also spread through hand to hand contact or sharing articles belonging to the infected person.
The symptoms of the common cold and influenza are similar and include a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, headache, watery eyes, and a cough. Influenza sufferers however, tend to run a fever and have general aches and pains in muscles and joints.
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As parents, it can be distressing to see and hear your child sneezing and coughing frequently, or experiencing discomfort because of accumulated mucous or phlegm that are clogging their airways. Unfortunately, conventional medicine has no cure for the rhinovirus, and neither will antibiotics help if the infection is caused by a virus instead of bacteria. Fortunately, a viral infection is self-limiting, which means the illness will normally run its course before literally burning out. Until then, you can help relieve the worst of your child’s symptoms with any of these countermeasures:
* Immunped Syrup is available at the KKH and NUH pharmacies; private paediatric specialist clinics as well as general practitioners.
Useful to Note
1. Most non-prescription cough-cold remedies contain a combination of ingredients to relieve multiple symptoms. These combination products often contain antipyretics (to reduce fever) and analgesics (which relieve minor aches, pains, and headaches).
2. A decongestant is usually prescribed for clogged up phlegm or mucous while an antihistamine is more helpful for a runny nose, excessive sneezing and even relieving a rash or itch.
3. Although zinc and vitamin C are useful in easing the worst symptoms of the common cold, consuming large amounts of both over long periods can result in diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps.
4. For zinc to be especially beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of the common cold, any supplement is recommended to be taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
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