Is There a Cure for the Common Cold? It may surprise you to know that the center for disease control has cold on a higher level (meaning more secured floor) than the HIV virus. The reason is, HIV is not contagious without bodily fluid contact; in other words, you cannot walk past someone that is HIV infected and contract it from them. If you shake the hand of a person with The HIV virus, you will not catch the virus from them. On the other hand, shake the hand of someone with a terrible cold, and there is an excellent chance you will soon be sniffling and sneezing. Cold Virus The cold virus lives outside the body and can be left on surfaces. If a person with a cold touches their nose, then pushes the elevator button, there is a good chance they left the virus along as well. The next person to select the second floor probably got more than they bargained for. There are more than 200 types of cold virus; however the most common is the rhinovirus, causing at least half of all colds. Approximately 1 billion colds are caught each year, and 22 million school days are lost because of colds. If a person catches a cold, it’s from another person that who was infected with it. This can happen by physical contact, or touching a surface that has been contaminated. Common items to contract the virus from-
Door knobs
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Computer keyboards
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Phones
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Handrails
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Doors
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Sinks
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Desks
Additionally, there can be droplets in the air from an infected person’s sneeze or cough. The virus starts out by attaching itself to the lining of the throat or mouth. The body tries to fight back, however, odds are it’s a new strain, and it's got you. This is when the throat may get sore, excess mucus develops, and that irritating cough starts up. Colds can last up to a week, but coughs can linger for some time after that. Just to set the record straight, getting wet or cold does not give you a cold. That being said, if you
are cold for a period of time, it could lower your immunity and make you more susceptible to catching a cold. Related: The Top 5 Reasons Why Nursing is the Best Profession What to do When You Have a Cold There really is no escaping it, working with sick patients, there will come a time you catch a cold. So, what should you do? -
If you have any fever, stay home from work.
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If you feel bad, take the day off, you need rest
Stay away from those with compromised immune systems, which would include many patients -
Wash hands frequently to prevent spreading germs
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Take a hot shower, the steam will help with congestion.
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Take over the counter medications, depending on your needs. Read labels and determine what the product is developed to do. If your head is stuffy, a decongestant is best, a cough, go for a chest decongestant, and a sore throat can benefit from lozenges.
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Gargle with warm salt water, this helps loosen phlegm in the throat and can help with the sore through as well.
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Get plenty of rest. Your body needs rest during a cold, and the more you can give it, the better off you will be and the sooner the cold will out of your system.
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Drink plenty of fluids, and make sure to include some orange juice, vitamin C is important during a cold.
Eat what you feel like, don’t push for heavy meals, and avoid milk which can thicken mucus. Related: The Happy Side of Nursing Wouldn’t you know, mom was right all along, chicken soup can actually help? The vitamins and minerals in the soup are good for the body, but the warmth of the soup itself can help break up congestion and clear sinus’. A cold should not last more than a few days, however drainage may continue, and coughs can go on for a couple weeks. There is no need to see a doctor unless the cold does not get better after 5 days, or the fever persists. As a nurse, you are going to get exposed, and at some point,
probably catch a cold. When you do, take care of yourself, and try not to expose others. Related: Registered Nurse Marie Lois Haran, RN, MSN, will be Honorably Mentioned in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter