Cold and Dangerous

I was hesitant to leave my bed this morning. I switched the aircon at warmer temperature before i went to bed last night. In the morning, it felt more colder than the usual. I crawled to the corner of my bed to reach for the remote but it was so far that i fell off. I was forced to leave my bed to check the weather outside. It's almost five in the morning yet it looked like its still midnight. my driver was already outside waiting to fetch me to work.
I was forced to go to the bathroom. Before going taking a bath, i turned on the tv for early news. I stood in front of my tv for a moment. the news said, people in Baguio City are getting sick because of too much cold. Then i thought, "that is why i felt lazy to go to work today.

According to Pagasa, the country is experiencing tail-end of a cold front affecting the Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. And northeast monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Luck no tropical cyclone existing is sighted within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Authorities are encouraging the residents especiallin places with low temperature, to be extra careful so as not to catch colds.

If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for about a week. But that doesn't mean you have to be miserable. These remedies may help:

• Water and other fluids. You can't flush a cold out of your system, but drinking plenty of liquids can help. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which make dehydration worse.
• Salt water. A saltwater gargle — 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an unce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
• Saline nasal sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline sprays don't lead to a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children.
• Chicken soup. Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their sick children. Now scientists have put chicken soup to the test, discovering that it does have effects that might help relieve cold and flu symptoms in two ways. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of neutrophils — immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response. Second, it temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, helping relieve congestion and limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the nose lining. So which is better, homemade or canned? Researchers at the University of Nebraska compared homemade chicken soup with canned versions and found that many, though not all, canned chicken soups worked just as well as soups made from scratch.
• Over-the-counter cold medications. Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief, but they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. If used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents avoid such cold medicines for children younger than age 2. And they are evaluating the safety of these medications in older children.

  Keep in mind that acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can cause serious liver damage or liver failure if taken in high doses. It's common for people to take Tylenol in addition to flu medications that also contain acetaminophen, which can lead to drug overdoses. Read the labels of any cold medication carefully to make sure you're not overdosing.

• Humidity. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions — another reason why colds are more common in winter. Dry air also dries the mucous membranes, causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. A humidifier can add moisture to your home, but it can also add mold, fungi and bacteria if not cleaned properly. Change the water in your humidifier daily, and clean the unit at least once every three days.