Do you flinch every time someone near you coughs? Your brain instantly goes into high alert because what if said person has coronavirus? It is important to keep your distance but remember, people used to cough even before coronavirus came around and there could be other culprit diseases causing a persistent cough.

One of them is the seasonal flu, which also holds the capability of developing into a complex medical condition. Another reason for your occasional coughing streak could be the chest cold.

Medicinally termed as acute bronchitis, this condition occurs when the lungs swell up and produce excessive mucus. This is what results in those agonizing coughs as revealed by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chest Cold is recognized as one of the most prevalent forms of bronchitis, with its span of infection lasting for about 3 weeks. It is usually caused due to a viral infection in the upper respiratory channel but, on rare occasions, may arise due to bacterial invasion.

The Revealing Signs of a Common Chest Cold

Many diseases can cause a cough. The enigma is how to distinguish between the diseases that may seem to have similar symptoms. CDC reveals a few identifying symptoms for the common chest cold. These include:

• Coughs (with or without mucus emission)
• Chest soreness
• Mild headache
• Mild body soreness
• Sore throat
• Feeling of exhaustion

However, CDC warns you to be on the lookout for severity in these symptoms. If your condition worsens, you have probably become a target of either seasonal flu or even COVID-19. If your condition escalates and converges into any of these severe medical symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

• A temperature above 100.4-degree Fahrenheit
• Bloody cough
• Difficulty breathing
• The condition persisting for more than 3 weeks
• Repetitive episodes of acute bronchitis.

Chest colds can be very bad and cause you sluggishness in your daily life, leaving you feeling gripped by even a mild headache or fever. However, there is no known cure for this ailment. It would run its three weeks before releasing its hold on you. No over the counter pills or antibiotics can relieve its symptoms and grant a cure even if the chest cold is caused by bacteria.

Do not feel down beaten. There are some measures you can take to ease through these three weeks. Drink plenty of fluids and keep yourself hydrated. Take a lot of rest. If possible, take a break from work. If you are used to a tough routine, let go of a few of your obligations because your body needs rest. Avoid your morning walk and routine visits to the local gym. Your stamina is already lowered, and you are likely short of breath without any extensive physical activity.

Lastly, take the regular preventive measures to avoid catching a chest cold. Wear a face mask at all times, especially with coronavirus abound in the air.

Avoid unnecessary engagements in crowds and keep your distance from anyone who is sick. Leave the rest to your immune system. Just strengthen your general immunity by consuming a lot of Vitamin C.