The Common Cold

"The common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. The throat, sinuses, and larynx may also be affected. Signs and symptoms may appear less than two days after exposure to the virus. These may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People usually recover in seven to ten days, but some symptoms may last up to three weeks."

Yes, the cold is a common virus that inflicts itself upon us every year; usually in the winter months. Although, a summer cold is possible and sometimes seems a worse fate in the warm weather. If we are lucky we will escape the dreaded cold, but chances are we will have to suffer through it at least once each year.

We all know the symptoms as soon as they start to appear. It can be as simple as a small sneeze. At first we dismiss that sign; people sneeze all the time for many reasons. Or it could be that little tickle in the back of our throat that makes us cough. And then, as if out of nowhere, the full onslaught of symptoms begin. We can't breathe and our nose starts running like a faucet.

If we are lucky the symptoms above will be all we have to endure. However, we all know that doesn't happen often. As the virus takes over our body we suffer through the coughing fits, where it can feel like glass shards ripping through our chest, and maybe even a fever.

We all have tried the myriad of products on the market hoping they will miraculously cure us; they don't. We might feel slightly better, but as they wear off we sometimes feel worse. After 60+ years I finally stopped using these cold "remedies". Zinc lozenges, saline nasal wash, and sports drinks with electrolytes work better than the standard drugs. If they are started at the first sign of a cold then the duration of the cold is at least shorter.

It's difficult to believe that with all the advances in medicine they haven't found a cure for the common cold. So many vaccines discovered that have taken care of other common illnesses. Of course, if they did come up with a vaccine for the cold virus, then they wouldn't  make the millions of dollars they now do for the over the counter remedies.

Unfortunately, until they do come up with a cure, the common cold will continue to plague us. So, if you become inflicted with a cold, please keep it to yourself. Believe me, nobody wants you to share this "gift".