Colds

I have a cold... Those four little words can strike fear in the hearts of anyone within 3 ft of me. Why? Because colds are the worst. You aren't sick enough to stay in bed, but you are too miserable to be a functional member of society. Since I have had this for going on 4 days I thought I would blog a little bit about it.

A cold often starts with feeling tired, sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. You may not have a fever or you may run a low fever , just a degree or two higher than usual. You may also have muscle aches, a scratchy or sore throat, watery eyes and a headache ( I have ALL these symptoms). As the cold worsens, your nasal mucus may turn from thin and watery to yellow and thick.
A cold usually lasts three or four days but can last up to 10 days. Many adults will have a least one or two colds a year, and most children will have five to eight. Colds are most common during months when people tend to gather indoors, such as in the winter.

What can you do to feel better?

	Stay home and rest in bed, especially while you have a fever.
	Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.
	Drink plenty of fluids like water and fruit juices. Try frozen flavored ice (Example: Popsicles). Fluids will help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important if you have a fever because fever can dry up your body's fluids, which can lead to dehydration.
	Drink hot tea with lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat and help loosen the mucus in your nose. Eating chicken soup can also help loosen the mucus.
	>Don't drink alcohol.
	Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat (1 tsp. of salt in 1 cup of water). Throat spray or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.
	Suck on cough lozenges or hard candy to quiet a cough. Try to use ones low in sugar.
	If a child is too young to blow his or her own nose, you may try a suction bulb to remove the mucus. (A cold mist vaporizer may also help.)

Prevention is the key. Wash your hands!