Common colds and flu are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. According to CDC, flu is caused by influenza viruses, while several viruses, including parainfluenza and rhinoviruses, cause colds. A significant difference is that a common cold is a milder respiratory illness, while the flu can make one feel quite ill and result in serious health problems.
Cold is contagious and can be transferred to another person if proper measures are not in place. For instance, if one has close contact with an infected person, touches a contaminated surface, or breathes respiratory droplets containing the virus. In fact, seniors are susceptible to complications from getting a common cold due to a weakened immune system.
Read on to learn more about colds and how to prevent the spread of the illness.
Symptoms of Common Cold
Since cold is a seasonal respiratory illness that is more prone during winter and early spring, seniors should watch out for the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Pain and aches
- Slight fever
How Long Does the Common Cold Last?
Seniors who catch a cold recover after two weeks, even without medical treatment. Typically, the duration of cold symptoms lasts for 5 to 7 days. During the first three days, the cold is contagious, meaning one could pass it along to others. As the symptoms get worse, one may notice that the nasal cavity gets stuffier and experience difficulty in breathing.
Home Remedies to Shorten the Duration of Cold Symptoms
However, if seniors have worsening symptoms, below are home remedies to lessen the duration of the sickness.
- Use a vapor bath to ease nasal congestion.
- Saline nose drops to help clear a stuffy nose.
- Gargle with warm salt water to ease a sore throat.
- Use over-the-counter medications to relieve aches and fever.
- Hydrate and get enough sleep to facilitate a speedy recovery.
- Eat a balanced diet and get adequate exercise for a healthy immune system.
6 Basic Tips to Prevent the Spread of Cold
Prevention is the best way for seniors to avoid getting a cold. There is no vaccine to treat a cold; however, the tips below can help minimize the risk of seniors spreading the cold infection to others.
- Ask them to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. This prevents the virus from spreading to close people through droplets in the air.
- Stay at home and avoid crowded places if infected.
- Avoid close contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, or kissing an uninfected person.
- Regular washing of hands. Family and friends should be advised to use soap and running water when washing hands.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects such as mobile devices and doorknobs.
- Wear a mask if interacting with uninfected family members or friends.
Contact Senior Helpers South Bend for In-Home Care Services
At Senior Helpers South Bend, we provide caregiver services to seniors and assist them in their everyday lives during the cold season. During the cold season, staying healthy can be a real challenge for seniors. Luckily, our caregiver services can cater to their needs at this difficult time.
Seniors living in South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, or Mishawaka can count on us to help them throughout the cold season and all year round. Contact us today for more information.