It should not surprise you if you get the common cold this year. The illness is appropriately named; it may be the most common sickness that people encounter. Just about anyone is familiar with colds and what this condition feels like. There are many symptoms and effects, including the production of mucus. However, this should not be something you need to worry about, as it can signify that your body is fighting the sickness.
Colds can sometimes be minor, with symptoms a person can manage without difficulty. In other cases, a cold can make the person feel miserable and unable to carry on with normal activities for several days. A virus causes a cold, affecting people of all ages. Symptoms can stay around for a couple of weeks. When battling a cold, a person will likely have a sore throat and congestions. A runny or stuffy nose can accompany a cold, as can coughing and sneezing. Sometimes, there can be a low-grade fever as well as body aches. Chills and a headache are other possible symptoms. Plenty of rest and fluids can treat a cold.
Producing mucus with a cough or through the nose may seem like a concern. The truth is, this can be a positive sign when a person has a common cold. Mucus production is the body’s way of getting rid of the infection and ultimately banishing the cold. There are a few reasons how and why this happens. When a cold virus hits the body, the nose, throat, and sinuses become some of the first targets. The body releases a chemical called histamine to defend these areas, which causes inflammation in the nasal passages, producing mucus. It is more difficult for bacteria to settle in the nose with thicker mucus. The mucus then releases, moving out the bacteria.
Even knowing that mucus is a good thing, a person still does not want to have it. A runny nose gets to be annoying and uncomfortable. However, there are effective ways to treat these symptoms. Plenty of fluids and rest will help. A person with a common cold and mucus production can try some over-the-counter medications. Antihistamines are some of the most common and successful ways to get rid of the effects of a cold.
Rest, fluids, and medication are good lines of defense against the common cold. If mucus production continues for a few weeks, the person may want to see a doctor. Often, in this case, the person may have a persistent fever too. The doctor can evaluate whether the patient has any other infections in the body.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Common Cold and Flu Treatment in Woodbridge, VA
As annoying as it can be to sniff and blow your nose constantly, this can be a good sign during a bout with the common cold. Mucus production means your immune system is working. Within seven to 10 days, these symptoms should subside. If not, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center for treatment.
Request an appointment or call Millennium Medical Care Woodbridge at 703-945-1942 for an appointment in our Woodbridge office.
The common cold or allergies: many people wonder which they have when certain symptoms come up. Both can affect people of all ages and can be miserable to deal with. Viruses cause colds, while allergies are the immune system’s response to a substance. There are ways to manage colds and allergies. Still, it is helpful…
If you never get the common cold, you are in rare company. A cold is a sickness that just about everyone will deal with each year. Its seriousness can range widely from minor to severe and everything in between. You may be able to carry on with regular activities, or you may be so sick…
The rhinovirus causes the common cold. It is a pathogen capable of making you miserable and forcing you to stay home for days. Understanding its symptoms can tell you to go to the urgent care facility early. If you want to know the common cold symptoms, here are the details.An individual sneezes when there is…
As people become more educated about their health, they are increasingly seeking preventative health care. Regular checkups from a family practice are an important way to detect diseases or potentially harmful health conditions early enough to implement effective treatments and avoid complications.A family physician is a valuable part of an overall health and wellness strategy…
The common cold or allergies: many people wonder which they have when certain symptoms come up. Both can affect people of all ages and can be miserable to deal with. Viruses cause colds, while allergies are the immune system’s response to a substance. There are ways to manage colds and allergies. Still, it is helpful…