Many health issues come uninvited with the season changing from summer to winter. Some of these include cold, cough, fever, and sore throat. These problems can give rise to extreme tiredness, which makes you feel uncomfortable. This can affect your work and social life. If you are suffering from these problems, here are some home remedies you must try to get some relief.
You don’t usually need to see a doctor for a cold unless your symptoms are severe or last longer than ten days. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can ease the pain and fever of a cold. However, always read the label and make sure you don’t take too much of any medication, especially if you have high blood pressure or another condition that affects how your body uses medication.
Sore throat symptoms and cough are prevalent among people suffering from the common cold. They can be quite painful and may cause difficulty in swallowing. OTC throat lozenges and cough drops can help relieve the sore throat and the cough. However, children should never be given throat lozenges or cough drops containing menthol or peppermint. These substances can irritate young children and even cause a choking sensation.
A warm drink like soup or tea can help soothe the throat and relieve the dryness accompanying a sore throat. Gargling with warm salt water can also help. A humidifier or steam vaporizer can help clear nasal congestion. A saline nose spray can also be helpful, but it’s essential to use these carefully, as too much can cause swelling in the nose and block the airways. A bulb syringe can suction the nasal passages, but using something other than this method in infants is best.
Keeping yourself away from other people when you feel sick is essential because viruses can quickly spread through coughs and sneezes. A person with a cold can be infectious for 1 to 2 weeks from when their symptoms first appear. It is also essential to stay at home and wash your hands frequently. You should also sneeze or cough into a tissue, not in the air, and avoid touching surfaces that can harbor germs.
You can also take a short nap to rest your body and mind. Eating well and exercising regularly are excellent ideas to ensure you have enough energy. If you’re working, ask for help and take frequent daily breaks to reduce fatigue. If you still feel tired, talking with your doctor is a good idea. They may want to do a throat culture by brushing your throat with a long cotton-tipped swab. This will help them determine if you have strep throat, which requires antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are typically taken as pills but can be given as a shot. Penicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, but other medications are available if you’re allergic to penicillin.
