We have been hearing all our life not to go out when it is cold as you will be afflicted by the common cold. The same is true for rain as well. But I have never fell ill with cold when I occasionally got drenched in the rain when coming back home from school. I remember vividly sitting out in the rain during college just to enjoy the rain. It was the only time ,far away from home. How is rain different from taking a head shower? Remember our ancestors slept outside in the cold nights, worked through rain and were fine. Animals still do the same without falling ill.
Let's look at the common cold. It is caused by a virus. There are about 200 viruses that can cause common cold. Just like any other virus, it is a parasite and needs a host to live. The virus will die if it is not able to find a host. The only way to get the virus is from someone else, air droplet from coughing, sneezing, and talking, physical touch, etc., . The reason that most people are not sick with common cold during the COVID pandemic has to do with our limited physical contact with other persons at office, school etc., Since common cold is an infectious disease, quarantine is the best protection against it.
What happens if we somehow get the virus. Nose, mouth and eyes are the most common entry points for virus into our bodies. The first symptom is typically runny nose, rhinorrhea (rhino-nose + rhea-flow). That means the virus has entered our nose destroyed the cells lining our nose. Once the linings are destroyed, mucus starts to flow in large volume. The mucus traps the virus and expels it, runny nose. The mucus forms the first layer of defense against the virus. So, we need to drink more water to compensate for the fluid loss in the form of mucus. Otherwise, we risk dehydration.
If the mucus alone is not able to get rid of the virus, the blood vessels dilate (expand) to bring more white blood cells (WBCs) to fight the invaders. That's why our nasal passages get blocked, stuffy nose. Also we would noticed that the phlegm is thicker in the morning. Its because the nose didn't get the chance to expel the mucus during sleep and so the mucous collects and become concentrated. Sneeze is our body's way to get anything that's stuck to our nose. Since we don't drink while we are sleeping, we need to sleep in a place where there is lots of humidity. So, no air-conditioned room as the room will be dry. Also the phlegm, (thicker mucus) turns yellow in color. The color change is due to the proteins from WBCs.
The throat, oropharynx to be exact also typically becomes infected by the virus when mucus from nose reach the throat. Cough is our body's way to expel the virus stuck in our throat. Sore throat (pharyngitis) is inflammation of pharynx. Salt water gargle help soothe an infected throat by draining the water from the swollen pharynx along with the virus.
As you can see from above, drinking plenty of hot liquids will keep the mucus watery and easy to expel. The hot liquids also help in soothing the throat. Many a time, I have typically got rid of cold virus by drinking lots of hot water, chicken and vegetable soups. Liquid diet yet nutritious but not too heavy for digestion. Only when we let the virus enters the bloodstream, the body goes to the next level of defense, fever. Click here to learn more about fever. But hopefully by following the above, we can all stop the progression from cold to fever as much as possible.
Comments