One never appreciates the subtle art of breathing until the common cold hits and blocks our noses. Although it might feel really bad, these colds are entirely harmless in most cases.
We know days can seem like years when we’re sick, but here’s some information to show that colds generally do leave our bodies quite fast.
How Long Does a Cold Last?
In general, the common cold lasts seven to ten days. However, there are over 200 viruses that cause cold and they affect each of us differently, so it isn’t always easy to know exactly how much it’ll be before someone fully recovers.
Common Cold Facts You’ll Want To Know
Our bodies are different, as well as our immune systems and the choices we make when it comes to our health. Unfortunately, this means that what is considered to be the average may not be what we’re experiencing and it’s important to be aware that there’s no single right way to cure a cold.
Without medicine, the cold could last up to 14 days
(Healthline)
Even without medicine, healthy individuals will see all symptoms of a cold disappear in around ten days. However, those with a weaker immune system due to age or existing conditions could battle cold symptoms for around two weeks.
Using medicine cures a common cold twice faster
(Healthline)
While there’s no particular medicine that helps cold go away faster, using over-the-counter meds to relieve the symptoms reduces the time your body spends battling the virus itself. Pain relievers, decongestants, and antihistamines are all considered crucial cold and flu medicine.
Healthy adults normally catch a common cold 2 or 3 times a year
(Medical News Today)
In comparison, children catch a cold around six times a year, regardless of the season. Healthy adults have a developed immune response that can combat cold in less than a week.
People can be contagious even when they have no symptoms
(CCOHS)
Like any other, a virus that causes a cold can remain asymptomatic and thus, remain undetected. Even though these patients are as contagious as the ones with symptoms, there’s not enough data on how long the virus stays in their bodies, as the infection itself goes undetected most frequently.
Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of cold-related complications
(Very Well Health)
When our bodies are fighting a cold, they release a number of different hormones. However, these hormones (as well as some cold and flu medicine) can interfere with insulin, making people with diabetes experience cold symptoms for weeks.
Conclusion
Although the common cold seems to have disappeared in the midst of the pandemic, it’s still as present as always. It’s important to know your body and what works best for you when it comes to dealing with viruses since we can’t escape them no matter how hard we try.
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