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Runny nose, coughing, body chills, fever, pain!!! Gosh, this winter is giving us such a hard time. The plans for having a snowy outing and other holiday plans are on hold, can’t wait to get rid of such winter illnesses and start enjoying the winter weather, right?? Don’t worry, read on, and soon you will be fit and fine; get out of your house and have a blast this winter.
Winter diseases are the attack of Viruses and Bacteria on your body caused due to cold weather. Such microorganisms sometimes weaken your immune system or make it hyperactive. This fight between your immune system microorganisms gives rise to different diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia, Bronchitis, Strep Throat, Pneumonia, etc, and their symptoms are damn irritating.
You must prevent them or get a proper remedy to get rid of them to enjoy the beauty of the winter season. Read on to find ways to get rid of such nasty microorganisms.
Common Cold
It is a common winter disease that affects mostly all of us. It is caused by Rhinovirus, which thrives and replicates in your body due to dryness caused by cold air.
Symptoms:
If you contract it, then you might be feeling mild fever, runny nose, itchy throat, fatigue, and body aches.
Preventive measures:
To prevent this virus from attacking your body, you must frequently wash your hands and maintain distance from persons who have already contracted this disease, as it is contagious. If any of your family members have contracted it, then you must avoid sharing the dishes, washroom, clothes, etc, used by them.
Cure:
If you have already contracted this disease, you must take decongestants or medicines prescribed by your doctor. You can also get rid of this disease by adopting some natural remedies such as maintaining a humid environment around you, drinking lukewarm water, getting ample rest, and drinking enough fluids.
Tonsillitis
Tonsils are oval-shaped tissues that are at the back of your throat. Tonsillitis is the condition in which the tonsils get infected and becomes inflamed. Usually, infections caused by viruses cause it, but sometimes bacterial infections also cause it.
Symptoms:
If you contract this, you will find it difficult to swallow foods, water, and even your saliva, you will feel pain in your ears, chills, fever, headache, prolonged sore throat, and sometimes pain in your jaw.
Preventive measures:
You must wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face and mouth. Don’t share your food, drinks, washroom, utensils, etc., with the person who is sick. Make sure you change your tooth brush regularly.
Cure:
Drink water regularly to moisten your tonsils and throat, Do a salt water gargle for a few minutes 3-4 times per day; it relaxes your sore throat; drink lukewarm water, and use air humidifiers to moisten your home environment. Follow these, and soon the infection will subside.
Bronchitis
When you breathe in, the air travels through bronchial tubes and reaches tiny air sacs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. The cold air makes your bronchial tubes dry, making them vulnerable to microorganisms attack. Virus or Bacterias generally causes infection and makes the tubes inflamed triggering an immune response.
Apart from microorganisms, certain allergens, such as dust, smoke, and chemical fumes(especially from paint and varnishes), also cause inflammation in your bronchial tubes.
Symptoms:
Excess Mucus is created to eliminate microorganisms causing persistent cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing, and discomfort in your chest.
This condition is called Acute Bronchitis.
Preventive measures:
Wash your hands regularly, stay away from the infected persons as the viruses are contagious, and stop smoking (Even secondhand smoke).
Cure:
Generally, this gets cured on its own. However, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications if the Bacterias cause the infection. But, it won’t work if the infection is viral. For viral infections, doctors prescribe cough medications.
Pneumonia
Sometimes the microorganisms make their way to the Alveoli. Triggering immune response and making it filled with fluid. This is probably serious; which can often lead to severe coughs accompanied by chest pain, fever, sweating, shortness of breath, Diarrhoea, and in the worst cases, it might cause respiratory failure.
Preventive measures:
You can prevent this disease by practicing good hygiene(Wash your hands properly before doing any activity that involves hand-mouth contact), quitting smoking, and adopting a healthy lifestyle(exercising regularly and eating healthy will result in a stronger immune system to ward off bacteria and viruses from your body).
Cure:
Antibiotics will be prescribed by your doctor if the infection is caused by bacteria. If the infection is caused by the viruses, it will clear on its own. But it is important to follow some home remedies to reduce the impact of the infection, such as salt water gargling or drinking peppermint tea for coughs, drinking warm water and soup(it acts as a natural decongestant to break down the excessive mucus), and drink plenty of fluids and take rest
Winter Joint Pain
Winter joint pains happen if you are in middle age or old age. You will have a hard time dealing with it. Medical science is yet to explain its exact cause.
Symptoms:
Pain comes in the form of swelling, stiffness, and other arthritis symptoms.
Preventive measures and cure:
Avoid putting up weight as it puts a strain on the joints of your legs; if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, then you have to start an active lifestyle such that you move regularly; wear proper winter clothing as exposure to cold weather also causes pain in joints.
Strep Throat
It is an infection in your throat and tonsils caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. This bacteria is generally transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with an infected person.
Symptoms:
If you contract this infection, you will show certain symptoms such as fever, tonsillitis, sore throat, etc.
Preventive measures:
Wash your hands regularly, quit smoking, or stay away from secondhand smoking, Use humidifiers in your home, and don’t share your food, water, and other things with the infected person.
Cure:
It is better you take plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, does salt water gargle, and add honey to your diet as it soothes sore throats.
It’s better to have some knowledge about day-to-day health issues, their preventive measures as well as the cure. Now quickly adopt these remedies, get rid of the uncomforting winter diseases, and start planning for your winter holidays. Also, make sure you adopt preventive measures on a regular basis such that the winter diseases don’t disrupt your future winter vacations.
Disclaimer: The information included here is only for knowledge-sharing purposes, and the blog is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment by a healthcare professional. Every individual needs advice based on diagnosis and evidence, hence the reader should consult their doctor to determine the disease and any treatment must be taken under appropriate medical guidance.
