Staying Healthy During Cold Season
You can’t escape the common cold. The average person gets four to six colds a year, and while colds are mostly harmless, they can lead to more serious conditions in seniors if left untreated. Understanding common colds and how they spread can help reduce your cold risk and keep you aware of when your cold may become more serious.
What Is A Cold And How Do They Spread?
Common colds come from viruses. More than 200 viruses cause colds, all with varying symptoms. Cold symptoms typically include sneezing, congestion, sore throat, coughing, and a fever. Most symptoms peak two to three days after the body contracts a virus.
Colds spread between people through the air and personal contact. If a person is sick and coughs or sneezes, they put infected droplets into the air that can then transfer to a nearby person. Colds can also spread from close physical contact with someone who is sick.
Reducing Cold Risks
Everyone contracts common colds, but there are steps you can take to help minimize your risk of catching one.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick or feeling unwell
- Wash your hands regularly, especially if you spend a lot of time in public places
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially if you haven’t recently washed your hands
- Avoid unhealthy habits like smoking that can weaken the immune system
Treating A Cold
Your body needs time to fight off a cold. The best way to treat a cold is to minimize symptoms and allow your body to rest. When you have a cold, some things you can try are:
- Over-the-counter cold medicines that treat symptoms
- Hydrating your body with plenty of water and electrolytes
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Using a humidifier
- Eat and drink warm liquids like soups and tea to open the nasal passages
When To Visit A Doctor
While most people can treat colds with over-the-counter medications and home remedies, some can be at risk of more severe conditions, such as pneumonia, especially in seniors. You should visit a doctor if:
- You have a condition that affects your immune system.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You feel dehydrated.
- You have a fever that lasts more than four days.
- Your symptoms last more than ten days.
- Your cold is worsening other conditions you may have.
Managing Cold Season With Visiting Angels
There’s nothing worse than caring for yourself when you’re sick. But with help from Visiting Angels, you don’t have to rely only on yourself this cold season.
Our team of compassionate caregivers can provide temporary, part-time, or full-time care to seniors throughout Atlanta, Buckhead, and the surrounding communities. Caregivers can assist with various non-medical tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry so you can focus on your health and feel better. If your cold makes moving challenging, caregivers can help with personal tasks like grooming and showering to ensure you’re safe and comfortable.
Before committing to working with a professional caregiver, Visiting Angels offers a complimentary consultation to help you visualize the benefits of having a caregiver. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about our services.