Common Cold
Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat
The common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease that primarily affects the nose. If not treated on time, throat, sinuses, and larynx might also be affected which might include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever.
AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.
Abtaj, a resident of Blakh province says, “At the beginning, when I was suffering from cold, I thought that I would be recovered soon but my disease got worse and went to a physician and the physician told me that I have sinuses and I have to wash my nose. Now I am suffering from headache, sneezing and runny nose.”
Nik Muhammad, a resident of Chaharasiab district, Kabul province says: “I was suffering from cold but I did care about it. Now I am suffering from sinuses, body ache and stomach problems.”
Professor Doctor Abdul matin, trainer of specialists at Bo Ali Sina Balkhi hospital, Mazar-e-Sharif city, Balkh province says, “If the common cold is not treated at the beginning, the patient might develop sinusitis. At this time, the infection could infect the sinuses or empty hemispheres inside the nose. This inflammation causes the sinuses to narrow and accumulate inflammation and germs inside the sinus cavity, create a safe place for other infections. Cold can easily transfer from person to person or family members and can cause serious problems for them.”
What do people think about the causes of these problems?
Hadia, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says, “If you do not treat any disease on time, it might develop some other diseases and the patient might face more serious problems.”
Rahmatullah, a resident of Laghman province says, “Cold is an infectious disease if we do not care about it, it might cause some serious problems to the patient.”
cold is called the mother of diseases, and if one does not cure it, the virus hides in his/her body and it causes some other diseases like sinusitis; in this stage, the infection of nose might transfer to the stomach and if it transfers to the intestines, it might cause intestine’s sore and faces the patient with more health problems.”
How do people treat common cold?
Zarif, a resident of Kabul province says, “When I get the common cold, I eat hot liquids like vegetable soup, chicken soup, and noodles and I also keep myself warm.”
Sayed Abdul Basit, a resident of Parwan province says: “When the weather changes in the autumn or in the winter, I get the common cold. I keep myself warm and I eat hot liquids but these remedies do not affect me and have to go to a doctor for essential treatment.”
Professor Matin talks about the treatment of common cold, “Besides using hot water and hot liquid and tea, taking vitamin A and C play an essential role in the treatment of a common cold. These vitamins are found more in fruits and vegetables. Lemon and kiwi are rich in vitamin C and are useful for cold. Taking bath with hot water is also beneficial for the treatment of cold but going to the doctor is advised.”