Tips From an Urgent Care: How to Stop a Cold Before it Starts

Colds, according to an urgent care doctor, are caused by up to 200 different strains of the virus. Common cold lives up to its name – it is common and downright annoying. Although it is good to take prevention precautions such as washing your hands regularly and taking healthy diets, you can also stop cold in its track before it goes out of hand and requires urgent care.

If you can sense the sniffles coming your way, these are ways to stop the cold before it starts.

Urgent care tips to prevent a cold

Rest

A strong immune system is the most effective defense against cold. Your body fights invaders better when you get enough rest and sleep. Once you start noticing the outset of cold, get into bed and rest your body for as long as possible. You can also try elevating your head slightly while sleeping to stop nasal congestion.

Hydration

Water is essential for life. Every vital organ in your body relies on water to function correctly, and your water usage will increase when your body is combating illness. You can support your system to fight against the cold by increasing your water intake.

Humidity

Aside from staying hydrated, you should ensure the air you are breathing is not dry. During recovery, you will sneeze, sweat and blow your nose. As your body dries, you may feel a level of discomfort on your skin and nasal passages. You should get a humidifier to ease such issues.

Consume healthy foods

If the cold virus has invaded your body, you can combat its presence with a strong, vitamin-rich immune system. Nutritious meals will give your body the strength it needs to resist the invaders if you are feeling sick. Examples of such energy-boosting meals include vitamin C usually found in citrus and other fruits.

Medications

If you cannot fight a cold, your symptoms will improve in about five to seven days. You can get over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and decongestants. Pain medications such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can help with the aches and pains.

Fight stress

Stress and anxiety worsen a cold because they put the extra burden on your blood pressure, heart rate and vitals. A minor cold can quickly get you down if you yield to stress on high alert. As much as possible, take things easy and avoid stressful environments.

Visit the doctor

The common cold will only plague your body for a few days. But, it can weaken your immunity and expose you to complications such as ear infections, bronchitis and sinus infections. If you have dealt with these problems in the past or if the cold persists for more than a few days, you may want to consult an urgent care doctor about preventing and treating the additional infections.

Final note

Colds may indeed be annoying, but taking urgent care measures will give your body a fighting chance to prevent the condition. The key to fighting the common cold is to put your body in the healthiest and optimal conditions for the battle.

Call us today at (703) 673-1558 for more information from Millennium Medical Care Manassas.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Urgent Care in Manassas, VA.