According to some survey, adults suffer from the common cold an average of 2-6 times a year, and children suffer from the common cold an average of 6-8 times. The common cold is mostly caused by viruses, and rhinoviruses are the most common pathogen causing the common cold. When the virus reaches the gland region of the throat, it specifically binds to and replicates with airway epithelial cells, causing cytopathic and inflammatory reactions. The most common season for colds is during changing seasons, such as winter and spring. “The earliest symptoms of acute onset are mainly nasal symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny water, oxygen, and nasal discharge, as well as throat discomfort or dry throat, itching, or burning sensation.”. Most of the time, nasal symptoms are just the beginning, and a few times a cold may just pass.Cold is the most common disease in daily life. When we catch a cold, some people will be eager to take medicine and seek improvement, while others will have the opposite view that it is unnecessary to take medicine for the common cold, and even if taking medicine, it should be based on the following principles: being able to take medicine without injection, being able to inject without infusion. This is a reasonable medication principle established by the World Health Organization. People regard infusion as the most effective treatment method, which is very wrong, It can even cause serious consequences and even endanger life. This afternoon, I went to see a teacher and heard from him that there was also a medical accident in a hospital where transfusion caused the death of patients. Some of our colds do not require infusion at all. In countries with strict requirements, only emergency patients, critically ill patients, and patients who cannot eat will adopt intravenous injection, which is an open human channel with high risk. In some countries, infusion is even considered a “minor surgery”, which is a last resort. Such large doses of multiple transfusions can make our research on antibiotics slow to keep pace with bacterial resistance, resulting in many “super” bacteria that may become unavailable in the future.
The common cold is a viral infection that affects millions of people every year. While there is no cure for the common cold, there are many treatments available to help alleviate symptoms. One of the most common treatments for the common cold is medication, but the question remains: do you really need to take medication for a cold? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of taking medication for the common cold and provide some alternative treatments.
Pros of Taking Medication for the Common Cold
Alleviate Symptoms. Medication can help alleviate the symptoms of the common cold, such as fever, cough, and congestion. This can make you feel more comfortable and help you get through the day.
Speed up Recovery.Some medications, such as antiviral drugs, can help speed up the recovery process by reducing the duration and severity of the illness. This can help you get back to your normal routine faster.
Prevent Complications.In some cases, the common cold can lead to complications, such as sinus infections or pneumonia. Medication can help prevent these complications by reducing inflammation and fighting off secondary bacterial infections.
Cons of Taking Medication for the Common Cold
Side Effects. Medication can have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and upset stomach. These side effects can make you feel worse than the cold itself.
Overuse of Antibiotics. The common cold is caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not effective against viruses. However, many people still take antibiotics for the common cold, which can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Masking Symptoms. Some medications, such as cough suppressants, can mask symptoms rather than treating the underlying cause of the cold. This can make it difficult to know when you are truly getting better and can lead to overuse of medication.
Here are Alternative Treatments for the Common Cold:
Rest and Hydration.Rest and hydration are two of the most important things you can do to help your body fight off the common cold. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, tea, and soup, can help keep you hydrated and loosen mucus in the respiratory tract.
Steam Therapy.Steam therapy, such as taking a hot shower or using a humidifier, can help relieve congestion and coughing by loosening mucus in the respiratory tract.
Saltwater Gargle.Gargling with saltwater can help relieve a sore throat by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria in the throat.
Vitamin C.Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help boost the immune system and reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli.
If you have a cold, take medicine, but in moderation. In 2012, the “Expert Consensus on Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Cold” pointed out that the principle of treating colds is to treat them symptomatically and alleviate their symptoms, as there are currently no specific antiviral drugs available. In conclusion, While medication can help alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and prevent complications, it is not always necessary. Rest, hydration, steam therapy, saltwater gargles, and vitamin C are all effective alternative treatments for the common cold. However, if your symptoms are severe or you are at risk for complications, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment. Besides, It mainly depends on your cold condition and physical fitness. There was a saying before that it’s good to take medicine for a cold for a week and not take medicine for seven days. It sounds like a joke, but it’s not without this situation. If you feel like you’re getting better every day, of course, you can resist it hard, but it can increase other symptoms. For example, a common cold, which can be solved by sweating through various methods, but after a few days of hard resistance, you can enter the body and dissipate the heat.”, Or if you have a bad cold and become noticeably uncomfortable, don’t fight it hard.
