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What Causes Recurrent Cold?
Question: I keep getting a sore throat followed by a cold, with both nasal and chest conjestion, this has been going on since january of this year, I have had at least 5 colds?
Brief Answer:
reduce exposure and improve immunity
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The only way to prevent or reduce the cold or flu would be either to reduce exposure or increase immunity.
Reducing exposure would mean reducing exposure to persons with these infections and also careful hand washing and wiping. These illness are transmitted by coming into contact with infected particles, either directly (a person cough/sneezing directly in front) or indirectly (touching surfaces that are infected then transmitting to airways).
Careful hand washing and wiping would reduce the latter.
Improving immunity would involve: (1) using a diet rich in a lot of different fruits and vegetables to get a wide range of minerals and nutrients
Citrus foods, spinach, vegetables such as broccoli, XXXXXXX are helpful along with others due to vitamin and anti oxidant content
(2)healthy practices like exercise, adequate sleep, no smoking which affects airways ability to fight infection, limited alcohol use
(3)control any chronic illnesses
(4)probiotics- these are thought to help with immunity
(5)control any chronic illnesses eg diabetes affects immunity, any uncontrolled illness may stress the immune system
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
reduce exposure and improve immunity
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The only way to prevent or reduce the cold or flu would be either to reduce exposure or increase immunity.
Reducing exposure would mean reducing exposure to persons with these infections and also careful hand washing and wiping. These illness are transmitted by coming into contact with infected particles, either directly (a person cough/sneezing directly in front) or indirectly (touching surfaces that are infected then transmitting to airways).
Careful hand washing and wiping would reduce the latter.
Improving immunity would involve: (1) using a diet rich in a lot of different fruits and vegetables to get a wide range of minerals and nutrients
Citrus foods, spinach, vegetables such as broccoli, XXXXXXX are helpful along with others due to vitamin and anti oxidant content
(2)healthy practices like exercise, adequate sleep, no smoking which affects airways ability to fight infection, limited alcohol use
(3)control any chronic illnesses
(4)probiotics- these are thought to help with immunity
(5)control any chronic illnesses eg diabetes affects immunity, any uncontrolled illness may stress the immune system
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Previous question was I have been having cronic cold symtems since January, I get a cold that last 3 to 4 weeks and then it comes back several weeks later, it is brought on by a sore throat, and is followed by nasel and chest conjestion.
Brief Answer:
yes, caused by viral infection in most of cases
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes
Sore throat, cold symptoms are usually due to viral infections though in some cases bacterial infections may also occur requiring antibiotics
IN most cases however the infections are viral . They can come and go, some persons have frequent infections , others less commonly
There are persons who can have up to 10 infections a year .
Additionally once a cough occurs, it can potentially last up to 6 weeks unfortunately
All infections, whether, it is these upper respiratory tract infections or infections that affect other aspects of the body can only be prevented in 2 ways.
(1) either preventing exposure to the bacteria or virus that causes the infection or (2) building up the immune system so strongly , the person does not become infected even if they are exposed to the virus or bacteria
A strong immune system would not get the sore throat/ cough/ congestion even if the person is exposed
This is the reason mentioned trying to reduce your contact with the virus or bacteria that cause these infections or building up your immune system so that you can efficiently fight off these pathogens
yes, caused by viral infection in most of cases
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Yes
Sore throat, cold symptoms are usually due to viral infections though in some cases bacterial infections may also occur requiring antibiotics
IN most cases however the infections are viral . They can come and go, some persons have frequent infections , others less commonly
There are persons who can have up to 10 infections a year .
Additionally once a cough occurs, it can potentially last up to 6 weeks unfortunately
All infections, whether, it is these upper respiratory tract infections or infections that affect other aspects of the body can only be prevented in 2 ways.
(1) either preventing exposure to the bacteria or virus that causes the infection or (2) building up the immune system so strongly , the person does not become infected even if they are exposed to the virus or bacteria
A strong immune system would not get the sore throat/ cough/ congestion even if the person is exposed
This is the reason mentioned trying to reduce your contact with the virus or bacteria that cause these infections or building up your immune system so that you can efficiently fight off these pathogens
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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