Everyone knows the drill when it comes to the common cold: take plenty of fluids, avoid contact with people who are sick, and don’t cough. But what about the other minor details? In this blog post, we will explore some of the worst things to do when you have a cold, from sneezing to coughing. By following these tips, you can stay healthy and minimize your chances of spreading the cold to others.
The Symptoms of a Cold
If you’ve ever had a cold, you know how miserable it can make feel. Here are seven of the worst things to do when you have a common cold:
1. Sneeze and cough constantly.
2. Get a lot of sleep.
3. Drink lots of fluids.
4. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
5. Use over-the-counter remedies as directed.
6. Stay away from cold weather conditions if you can avoid them.
7. Get plenty of rest and hydration and drink ginger tea or warm liquids to soothe your throat and nasal passages
How to Treat A Cold
When you have a cold, it’s important to take care of yourself. Here are some tips on how to treat a cold:
1. Get plenty of rest – When you’re sick, your body is working extra hard to fight the infection. That means you need to rest as much as possible in order to help your body heal. Make sure to avoid stress and make sure to get enough sleep.
2. Drink plenty of fluids – When you’re sick, your body is dehydrated which can make the symptoms worse. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and reduce the severity of your cold. Try drinking soups or hot water with lemon slices for added flavor and relief.
3. Eat warm, softer foods – When you have a cold, it’s important to eat warm, soft foods that will help soothe your throat and lungs. This might mean avoiding meat and poultry, eating lots of soothing fruits and vegetables, or using cooked yoghurt or applesauce as a substitute for ice cream or hard candy.
4. Take over-the-counter medication as directed – If you experience symptoms that don’t go away with rest and fluids, please consult with your doctor about taking over-the-counter medication as directed by the package insert. Common over-the-counter medications for treating a cold include decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Alka-
What To Avoid When You Have A Cold
When you have a cold, the last thing you want to do is make it worse. Here are some of the worst things you can do to worsen your condition:
-Sneeze excessively: When you sneeze, it aggravates your cold and spreads germs around your nose and throat. Instead of sneezing, blow your nose or use a tissue to catch the droplets that fall from your eyes.
-Cough constantly: A congested respiratory system makes it difficult for your body to fight off infection, so coughing is only making things worse. Instead of hacking up mucus, try to take deep breaths through your nose and hold them for two seconds. This will help clear out the congestion.
-Warm liquids: Drinking fluids may help ease symptoms but also increases the risk of spreading bugs. Try sticking to clear liquids, such as water or tea, instead of hot drinks or sugary drinks. If you must drink something warm, make sure to clean all surfaces that came in contact with the liquid before drinking.
-Sleep without covering up: It’s natural to feel warmer when you’re sleeping but make sure that you’re taking precautions against infecting yourself by exposing yourself to drafts and elevation changes while sleeping. Bring a thick blanket and pillow into bed with you if possible
Tips For preventing a cold from progressing
1. Get plenty of rest. People who are congested or have a fever are more likely to catch a cold.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. A person with a cold is more likely to be dehydrated, so drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
3. Avoid touching your face. When you touch your face, you’re going to spread the germs around and make it easier for the cold to spread through your body. Instead, try using a tissue or handkerchief to touch your face instead.
4. Wash your hands often. Washing your hands often can help reduce the number of times you’ll touch your face and spread germs around. Try using antibacterial soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
5. Stay away from people who are sick. If you do catch a cold, stay away from people who are sick so that you don’t pass on the virus to them and get sick yourself!
Prevention Tips for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems
If you’re one of the unlucky ones who get a cold every year, here are some prevention tips to help you avoid the worst things to do when you have a common cold:
-Stay hydrated. Keep drinking plenty of fluids, especially if you feel sick. Fluids help clear your throat and reduce congestion.
-Rest. If you’re feeling tired, take a day off from work or school. The virus is less likely to spread when you’re resting.
-Nix the sneezing fits. Don’t try to stop a sneeze with your hands or by pinching your nose shut – those tactics just make it worse. Instead, try to relax and let it out. And if that doesn’t work, cover your mouth with a tissue until it’s over.
-Cough gently and frequently. When you cough, push the air out of your lungs in short bursts instead of long ones – this helps reduce congestion and makes coughing more effective at getting rid of the virus.
-Avoid touching your eyes or nose while you have a cold. Germs can easily spread this way.