Did you know the common cold is prevalent in India? On average, an adult is reported to be impacted by the common cold twice a year. On the other hand, children are bound to experience a common cold a few more times.
The common cold is often considered harmless, but it can be very contagious, especially for individuals with asthma. Even mild congestion can trigger intense flare-ups in people suffering from the common cold. But how could you know if you have actually caught a cold, and is there a way to prevent it? Many people are opting to buy peak flow meter in India. These can help track changes in airflow. But is there anything else that you can do?
This article aims to cover everything you need to know about symptoms of the common cold, preventative tips, and more.
What Are The Visible Signs Of the Common Cold?
Sneezing and a blocked nose may seem harmless, but even mild congestion can snowball into persistent coughing and fatigue. Early detection of the common cold could, however, prevent serious complications. Catching symptoms early can let you or your physician take immediate actions like resting up, taking medication, etc.
Therefore, you must be on the lookout for the following visible signs of the common cold:
1. Persistent Sneezing and Runny Nose
Have you been frequently sneezing, or have you lately had a clear but runny nose? This may seem harmless, but repeated sneezing and thin, transparent mucus coming from the nose are actually the early hallmark of a cold. Unlike allergy discharge, the fluid or mucus from your nose may start to become thicker over days. In most cases, people may not take this as a warning sign because it’s so common, but this is exactly why it’s overlooked. If ignored, this can turn into congestion that makes breathing harder, especially for individuals with asthma.
2. Scratchy or Irritated Throat
Does your throat feel scratchy, especially during the night? A scratchy or sore throat is typically the first indication that a cold virus may have entered your system. It happens because the virus tends to inflame the lining of the throat. This inflammation may trigger a rough and irritated sensation coming from the back of the throat. You may notice discomfort when swallowing or talking. The throat can also feel dry or itchy before pain fully sets in. When left untreated, this scratchiness can evolve into a painful sore throat accompanied by dry coughing.
3. Dry and Persistent Cough
Usually, people tend to experience a dry and mild cough after catching a common cold. However, with time, the intensity of the cough is bound to increase due to inflammation of the airways. Soon, the mucus builds up, making coughing more persistent and constant. The cough tends to worsen at night and especially when you are in dry air. What starts as a harmless tickle can grow into a deep, chesty cough that makes breathing more difficult.
4. Low‑Grade Fever, Chills, and Headache
People can notice a low‑grade fever between 99 °F and 100.5 °F without medical intervention. Fever could also be accompanied by shivers or mild body aches. This may even be accompanied by general fatigue as the body tries to fight off a cold. A dull headache, especially around the forehead, may be experienced by people once the cold worsens.
5. Watery Eyes and Eye Discomfort
In many cases, cold symptoms are not just restricted to the throat and nose. People with a common cold often experience watery, itchy, or red eyes. This happens because the nasal and tear ducts are connected, and inflammation caused by the cold virus can affect the eyes. Eye symptoms may resemble mild conjunctivitis and lead to discomfort in bright light.
6. Nasal Congestion and Post-Nasal Drip
Many individuals face intense nasal congestion after a two-to-three-day onset. This happens when nasal tissues become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. Post-nasal drip follows the infection. This drip not only leads to sore throats but also promotes nighttime coughing. Nasal congestion would also make breathing through the mouth more frequent, drying out the throat and reducing oxygen intake again.
Why People with Asthma Face Greater Risks During the Common Cold?
Symptoms of the common cold might result in slight discomfort and mild disruption for most healthy individuals. However, the same infection can be far more serious for individuals living with asthma. The immune system of a person struggling with asthma is already battling chronic airway inflammation. Even a minor viral intrusion, hence, has the potential to cause serious complications.
What may have started off as a harmless cough may soon begin to disrupt their daily routines, reduce productivity, and raise real alarms about breathing stability. Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and sleep disturbances often escalate quickly when asthma overlaps with viral infections.
Moreover, people with asthma would also face heightened risks of:
This may happen in situations where the virus responsible for the common cold enters and spreads to the bronchial tubes. The condition would lead to serious swelling that would narrow passages. As the cold virus moves deeper into the respiratory tract, it prompts an immune response that further inflames the airways.
This creates a double burden for someone with asthma, whose airways are already prone to inflammation. In many cases, this type of inflammation does not subside quickly and can take days or even weeks to resolve fully.
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Increased Mucus Production
Excessive mucus, especially when thick and persistent, could clog the smaller bronchioles in your lungs. This would make breathing difficult, forcing the lungs to work harder to move air in and out. Unlike healthy individuals who can typically clear mucus through natural coughing mechanisms, asthma patients often struggle to do so.
Moreover, mucus in asthma tends to be stickier and more tenacious. This not only narrows the already restricted airways but also creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth, increasing the risk of developing bronchitis or sinus infections. Mucus overload may also induce a suffocating sensation and reduce oxygen exchange in the lungs.
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Heightened Airway Reactivity
The common cold is typically caused by viruses like rhinoviruses. Such viruses can make a person’s airways highly sensitive to various stimuli. This sensitivity typically results in spasms and wheezing. The cold virus not only causes inflammation, but it also amplifies the lungs’ response to otherwise harmless triggers such as dust, pollen, or temperature changes.
This phenomenon, known as airway hyperresponsiveness, is a primary cause of flare-ups in asthma patients. Even a mild cold can make the airways so reactive that basic tasks like speaking continuously may result in shortness of breath and chest tightness.
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Difficulty Using Inhalers and Risks of Flare-ups
When the cold virus disrupts normal breathing, patients may be unable to inhale their medications deeply enough for it to be effective. This is particularly dangerous during sudden attacks, when immediate relief is needed. Some studies even suggest that 85% of asthma attacks follow a cold. Such flare-ups sometimes even require the administration of steroids or hospital care.
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Risk of Secondary Infections
People with asthma already have compromised airways. When the common cold lingers or goes unmanaged, it can create ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive. This increases the chances of developing secondary respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. The mucus-filled, inflamed airways become more vulnerable to these complications.
If these secondary infections occur, they not only extend the duration of illness but also significantly heighten the risk of severe asthma exacerbations. Hence, preventing the cold from escalating to such levels is essential for long-term lung health.
How to Prevent Asthma Flare-Ups Triggered by the Common Cold
Infections like the cold can sneak up on the immune system, inflame already sensitive airways, and spark prolonged breathing trouble. However, flare-ups are not inevitable. Asthma patients can greatly reduce the risk of complications caused by the cold virus with timely awareness and a preventive mindset.
Here are a few tips that can reduce the chances of catching a cold:
Most common cold viruses spread through contaminated surfaces and hand-to-hand contact. However, a 20-second handwash using soap and clean water can interrupt this chain entirely. So, always opt to wash your hands properly, especially after being in public spaces, before eating, after using the washroom, or after handling cash or shared objects. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be used when soap and water aren’t available.
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Disinfect High‑Touch Surfaces
Adopting a few safety measures at your workplace or home can go a long way in preventing the spread of viruses. Regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is a smart hygiene practice, especially during flu season. Make it a habit of wiping down your work desk, computer keyboard, mouse, and light switches at least once daily with antibacterial solutions or alcohol wipes. These small actions help reduce your exposure to cold viruses, especially in shared or high-traffic environments.
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Avoid Crowded Indoor Spaces
Viruses thrive in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces—especially when many people are gathered close together. Public transport, shopping malls, indoor concerts, and office meetings can all increase your exposure to airborne viruses. You can prevent flare-ups by limiting such interactions during peak infection periods. When outside, do ensure to wear masks, especially when you plan to be indoors with a lot of people.
Dry indoor air, especially during colder months, can irritate the airways and worsen asthma symptoms. A humidifier helps keep the airway linings moist and less prone to irritation. It prevents your throat and nasal passages from drying out, reducing coughing and congestion caused by cold air.
Rising pollution in India is a major cause of concern for all. However, it can be especially triggering for people with respiratory issues. Air purifiers can help filter out airborne viruses along with dust particles, pet dander, and indoor allergens. Using them would help in creating a cleaner breathing environment. Together, both devices play a critical role in maintaining a respiratory-friendly indoor setting, minimizing the chances of exacerbation.
Cold symptoms can worsen quickly, but lung function often starts to decline even before you feel it. That’s why it’s crucial to
buy a peak flow meter in India to track your breathing capacity every day. It lets you detect even small changes in airflow, giving you the ability to intervene before symptoms become serious.
Why Buy Peak Flow Meter In India For Lung Monitoring?
The common cold can still creep in unexpectedly, even when you are following every preventive measure. When you do catch a cold, your asthma can interact with the cold in unpredictable ways. Hence, relying solely on how you feel isn’t enough.
Symptoms of a cold can escalate rapidly without visible signs. That’s why many asthma patients opt to buy peak flow meter in India. Such devices help people recognize patterns early so they can make informed decisions that can prevent emergencies.
Here are just a few ways peak flow meter in India can help you:
A drop in peak flow readings by 10–15% can signal trouble before symptoms worsen. It gives asthma patients a chance to act before their breathing becomes significantly restricted. Monitoring allows for early detection of bronchial constriction or inflammation even when the patient feels ‘normal.’ Opting to buy peak flow meter in India can give you a vital head start to start medications, rest, or consult a physician in time.
Accurate measurements inform when to increase inhaler doses or start preventive medication. Asthma management often relies on dosage adjustments based on the current state of lung function. Accurate measures from a peak flow meter can help with it, as daily recordings of peak flow readings can help patients and doctors track trends and modify treatment accordingly. This not only reduces the severity of flare-ups but also minimizes long-term lung damage.
Many patients have actually reported reduced emergency visits after opting to buy peak flow meter in India. Timely action based on real numbers from peak flow meter allows them to take prompt actions. This on-time action minimizes the chances of serious problems. In the long term, this also reduces healthcare expenses and mental stress for both patients and caregivers.
Conclusion
As a person struggling with asthma, you must already be aware of the complications a small issue can cause in your life. You may be careful and might even be following some practices as mentioned here. But those practices alone cannot be enough, especially during flu season.
However, you can stay ahead of any complications by measuring your lung health daily. Adding just one device to your routine can indeed make so much difference. So, why not buy peak flow meter in India from trusted brands like
alveofit today?
The decision to buy peak flow meter in India could make all the difference in how you prevent flare-ups.
