Common Cold

The common cold (cold) is a viral infection of the nose and throat. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold. Healthy adults can expect to have two or three colds each year. Infants and young children may have even more frequent colds. This disease easily transfers from a sick person to a healthy one. Most people recover from a common cold in a week or 10 days.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about the health problems of cold.

Mariam, a resident of Kabul city says, “I caught a cold. I am sneezing, my nose is blocked; water comes from it and I suffer from fever too.”

Anisa from Herat province says, “I have caught a cold and I suffer from headache, fever, and boredom.”

Doctor Ihsanullah, nose, ear, and throat diseases specialist says, “A cold is caused by a virus that causes inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat, causing red-eye, excessive runny nose, and sneezing are the symptoms of a common cold.”

What do some people think about the causes of cold?

Abdul Qudus, a resident of Herat province says, “Cold weather is the cause of the common cold.”

Nimatullah, a resident of Kabul city says, “Polluted air always causes me cold.”

Shahidullah says that he always catches a cold with the changing of the season.”

Doctor Ihsanullah says, “We know that cold is a viral disease. Although factors such as cold weather and lack of cleanliness and weakened immune system can be helpful factors for the common cold, but the main cause of this disease is the transmission of the virus from a sick person to healthy people.”

How do some people treat the common cold?

Mariam says, “I cannot study when I catch a cold and I walk in open air more.”

Shahidullah says, “I take home medicines which are found in Attar shops.”

Another patient who doesn’t want to mention her name says, “I usually eat boiled turnip and lemon for the treatment of a cold.”

Doctor Ihasnullah says, “Anything that could reduce the severity of the disease and strengthen the body's immune system is good for the patient, but they should remember that if the disease lasts more than ten days, the patient must go to the doctor. Eating hot liquids such as soups and stews and cooked vegetables are useful during a common cold.

The prevention from cold is easy. For example, if we consider social distance, if possible have a separate room for the patient at home; keep ourselves away from the sick person away when talking to him/her or when he/she sneezes and the patient has also to consider health tips during his/her sickness.”