How to treat a cold?

2023-10-23 12:18:21

Colds irritate us morally and tire us. Some tips for getting through a cold period better.

Groggy, tired, stuffy nose, sneezing, runny nose and hoarse voice… Cold season is coming. When one is concerned, the temptation is great to buy “anti-cold” medications, which decongest the nose. But health authorities have issued an alert about their potential danger, and called for them to no longer be used. How to take care of yourself when you have a cold?

Rinse your nose

« Cold viruses lodge in the nasal mucosa and its passages, causing runny and sneezing », explains Dr Baptiste Meunier, general practitioner in Grenoble. Faced with these symptoms, Public Health France gives some practical advice to improve your general condition.

To decongest your nose, you must rinse the inside using aqueous products such as physiological serum, thermal or sea water spray. Please note, the tip of the spray should not be shared between loved ones, in order to to avoid transmission of the virus. Cleaning can be carried out several times a day depending on nasal congestion.

Dr. Meunier specifies that « Cleaning your nose and nasal passages with physiological saline is the measure that has the most impact, as it relieves the symptoms of the discharge. Once the nose is clear, less stuff comes out. But there is also less flow from the back of the nose towards the pharynxwhich can be the cause of pharyngitis, when the throat is scratchy. » These solutions effectively clear the nasal passages for better ventilation.

Hydrate and sleep

You also need to hydrate well, because nasal discharge causes the body to lose water. In case of fever, it is advisable to adapt your outfit by not covering too much to let the body release heat. Cigarette smoke irritates the respiratory tract, so you should not expose yourself to cigarette smoke, and if you are a smoker, quitting smoking is strongly recommended.

Be patient

The best treatment for colds is… patience. Marketed medications can at best alleviate symptoms, but do not cure the common cold. So you have to make sure you get some rest. To sleep better, elevating your head helps improve air circulation through the respiratory tract. “Raising the heads of young children is very effective,” testifies Dr. Baptiste Meunier.

At home, you should avoid using devices such as air conditioners, which dry out the ambient air and nasal mucous membranes. Public Health France advises to ventilate the accommodation well, the temperature should ideally be between 18° C to 20° C.

» READ ALSO – Parents talk nonsense about colds

Protect others

All Covid-related instructions apply to avoid contamination of other people around you. At the question “ Should we wear a mask?”, Dr. Meunier answers : « 1000 times yes ! » You may have Covid, the flu or any other virus giving cold symptoms, and the mask will protect those around you regardless of the virus that makes you sick. « There are more than a hundred viruses that cause colds. However, the RSV virus (Respiratory syncytial virus) concerns us because in adults it causes a bad cold, but in children it causes a bronchiolitis so when you have a cold, you take as many precautions as possible »says Dr. Baptiste Meunier.

The disposable mask should therefore be worn as soon as the first signs appear (coughing, sneezing, blocked nose). The use of single-use tissues (do not forget to throw them in the trash !) is recommended. You should aim for the crease in your elbow when you sneeze or cough, to avoid the dispersion of droplets.

Thorough hand washing is recommended. Public Health France recalls some recommendations : rub the nails, fingertips, palms of the hands, wrists and between the fingers for 30 seconds. Then it is advisable to dry your hands with a clean towel or cloth, or in the open air.

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