It’s amazing: colds are one of the most common infectious diseases. But only a few people know how to behave properly in the event of illness. We reveal five mistakes that we have all made at some point.
On average, adults have to deal with two to four colds a year. It affects children much more often: they catch a cold on average six to ten times a year because their immune system is not yet as developed as that of adults. It must first learn to combat pathogens effectively.
Contrary to what the name suggests, a cold is not caused by cold, but usually by so-called rhinoviruses. Researchers distinguish more than 100 species of these tiny cold pathogens. The large number of possible pathogens is also one of the reasons why we keep catching colds throughout our lives and are not immune – as is the case with many other illnesses – once we have overcome the illness. There is therefore no prospect of a vaccination against cold viruses.
Cold makes viruses stable
Cold viruses are at their peak in the cold season. Dry heating air makes the respiratory tract susceptible to infections. We are spending more time indoors and the risk of infection is increasing. In addition, viruses feel particularly comfortable in cold temperatures. Cold and dry air makes them more stable. This also increases the risk of infection.
But there are measures to protect yourself from the pathogens: Frequent hand washing with normal soap is one of them. Experts also recommend not touching your face so often during the cold season: pathogens quickly migrate from door handles or subway handles to the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. From there they spread further – and ultimately lead to annoying symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and hoarseness.
But what if we become infected despite all the precautionary measures? Then it’s time to go to bed, drink plenty of water and tea and allow your body to rest. Our photo series shows what else we should do – or not do – when we have a cold.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
