Common cold EFFECTIVE HOME REMEDIES

A neonatologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi, Dr. Snigdha Samanta shares effective home remedies to manage the common cold in children

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It’s routine for children and adults to catch the common cold during monsoon months. Caused by rhinoviruses, the common cold spreads easily, especially in closed environments such as homes, schools, and public transport. Although it's a mild illness for most, it can be surprisingly disruptive, causing children to miss class, lose sleep, and become cranky and irritable.

“The symptoms of a common cold are a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, dry cough, sneezing, and sometimes a mild fever or body ache. Parents rush to administer over-the-counter cough syrups or antibiotics far too early. Most cases improve within seven to ten days without any need for antibiotics or heavy medication. Colds are caused by viruses —antibiotics are not of much help, and their unnecessary use can do harm by making children resistant to antibiotics,” says Dr. Snigdha Samanta, neonatologist at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi.

In an interview with