Winter Cold Disease

Prof. Dr. Jyotiranjan Champatiray

The name “cold” came into use in the 16th century, due to the similarity between its symptoms and those of exposure to cold weather. In the United Kingdom, the Common Cold Unit was set up by the Medical Research Council in 1946 and it was where the rhinovirus was discovered in 1956.

Colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months. People are indoors more often, allowing viruses to pass more easily from one person to another. And the cold, dry air may weaken resistance. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. Many different respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections.

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery. Common Cold Symptoms are Sneezing. Stuffy nose. Watery eyes. Mucus draining from your nose into your throat. Cold temperatures cause your blood vessels to constrict, shallow breathing, and a slight thickening of the blood. These changes can cause chest pain in people with heart disease. When you’re outside in cold conditions, make sure to wrap up warm, being careful to cover up your extremities.

Cold weather can aggravate certain respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The health of people with cardiovascular illnesses can also worsen due to cold temperatures. Many researchers believe that exposure to cold weather can adversely affect a person’s immune response, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. Reasons for this may include: Reduced vitamin D levels: During the winter, many people get less vitamin D due to reduced sun exposure. It can help you fight off infections. You might be more susceptible to colds in the winter time, but according to this study, when your immune system adapts to cold environments, its ability to fight off infection gets stronger.

Tips to Help Prevent Winter Colds and Flu are Wash your hands well, Keep unclean fingers away from your face, Make sure everyone gets a flu shot, Clean common surfaces often, Get plenty of sleep, Eat well-balanced meals, Stay active and get some fresh air), Find ways to de-stress and relax.

(The writer is Head of the Department (HoD & Professor, Deptt. of Paediatric, Fakirmohan Medical College & Hospital, Balasore,  Mob; : 9437124074, E-mail : drjyotiranjanchampatray123@gmail.com)