education

1. Birla Corporation limited
Welcomes all for the awarness Session on
Common Ailments
in Winter
&
Their Remedies

7. What Is a Cold?
• Colds are typically minor infections of the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract) caused
by more than 200 different respiratory viruses. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of
colds. Parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, human metapneumovirus and
common human coronaviruses also cause colds.
• A cold may last for about one week, but some colds last longer, especially in children, the
elderly and those in poor health.
• Adults get an average of two to three colds per year, mostly between September and May.
• Children suffer from more colds per year than adults.
• Colds are highly contagious. They most often spread through droplets of fluid from an
infected person sneezing or coughing. These droplets can enter your body through
breathing them in or touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes, nose or
mouth.

8. COMMON COLD
• Associated with number of viruses like Rhinovirus, Parainflenza

9. Common Cold Symptoms
• Between one and three days after a
cold virus enters the body, symptoms
start developing, may last for 7 days
such as:
• Runny nose or congestion
• Sneezing
• Sore throat, horse voice
• Headache
• Dental pain, facial tenderness
• Cough
• Fever, fatigue
• Pain/tender areas of sinuses
Respiratory viruses can cause
complications such as
middle ear infections,
sinus infections,
asthma attacks,
bronchiolitis (infection of the small
airways),
pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
and
worsening of chronic medical
conditions like COPD.

10. What Can You Do to Prevent a Cold?
In addition to medication,
• Get plenty of rest
• Hand wash with warm water, keep utensils, towel and
articles clean
• Keep fingers away from your nose and eyes to avoid
infecting yourself with cold virus particles you may have
been picked up.
• Destroy germs
• Use disposable tissues or clean handkerchiefs
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
• Use saline nasal spray or drops
• Breathe in steam from a running shower
• Use honey to relieve cough (must be at least 1 year old)

13. Cold or allergy: Which is it?
• Colds are caused by your immune system's response when you catch a virus. Seasonal allergies are
triggered by your immune system's response to allergens, such as pollen.
• Some symptoms of colds and allergic reactions are the same, such as a runny or stuffy nose, and
sneezing.
• with seasonal allergies almost never have a sore throat or a cough. Viral infections, on the other
hand, often do cause this symptom.
• People with seasonal allergies don't usually have a fever, but those with a cold often do. With a
seasonal allergy, you may notice puffy eyelids and dark marks under your eyes.
• cold may last 3 to 10 days in adults, although a cough may last for a couple of weeks longer. You
can treat the symptoms of the common cold with rest and added fluids. Pain relievers may help
with aching muscles or throat pain. Nasal rinses or sprays may help with congestion or runny nose.
• Seasonal allergies may last several weeks. You can treat seasonal allergies with a nasal saline rinse,
antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays. Avoid exposure to allergens where possible

14. COLD Vs ALLERGY
Symptom Cold Allergy
Fever Sometimes Never
Itchy eyes Rarely Usually
Sore throat Usually Rarely
Sneezing Usually Usually
Tiredness Sometimes Sometimes
Runny nose Usually Usually
Stuffy nose Usually Usually
Cough Usually Sometimes

17. Is it a Influenza (Flu) Or Common Cold?????

19. FLU VACCINE-nfluvac Tetra 2025/2026, Fluquadri 2025-2026, and
Zydus's VaxiFlu™ (Trivalent)
• Most people with the flu get better on their own.
But sometimes, influenza and its complications can
be deadly. To help protect against seasonal flu, you
can get an annual flu shot. Although the vaccine
isn't 100% effective, it lowers the chances of having
severe complications from the flu. This is especially
true for people who are at high risk of flu
complications.
• Older>65y and younger <2yage
• Living conditions
• Weakened immune system
• Chronic illnesses
• Aspirin therapy
• Pregnancy
• Obesity >40 BMI

29. COUGH
A cough is your body's reflex to clear irritants like mucus, dust, or germs from your
airways, acting as a protective mechanism, but it can signal infections (cold, flu,
pneumonia) or conditions (asthma, allergies, acid reflux, smoking), lasting short-term
(acute) or persistently (chronic).
While occasional coughing is healthy, a long-lasting cough (over 3-8 weeks), wheezing,
shortness of breath, or bloody phlegm warrants medical attention to find the underlying
cause, with treatments ranging from home remedies (honey, fluids, steam) to specific
medications.
Common Causes
•Infections: Common cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis.
•Allergies: Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold.
•Asthma: Airway inflammation.
•Irritants: Smoking, secondhand smoke, strong scents, vaping.
•Postnasal Drip: Mucus dripping down the throat.
•Acid Reflux (GERD): Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.

34. When to see a doctor
• For a cold if symptoms worsen or last over 8-10 days
• Persistent sore throat without runny nose or stuffy nose
• Trouble breathing (SOB)
• a high/persistent fever (over 101.3°F/38.5°C for adults) x >48 hrs
• Severe pain (head, ear, chest),
• Dehydration or
• Chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.
• For infants, see a doctor immediately for a fever (especially under 12
weeks) or unusual fussiness/drowsiness.

50. Preventive Measures (C
a) Use proper clothing and safety
gear( ear cuffs, scarf,
bonnets, hats, etc
-should not be too tight to allow
ventillation
b) Temperature in the workplace
must be closely monitored
c) Have regular medical check-
ups
d) Employees should be properly
trained
e) Make sure shoes, socks and
boots are cleaned regularly
f) Always have hot beverage
available
g) Boots should be waterproof
h) Avoid touching cold metals
with bare skin
i) Bring a thermometer
j) Use gas or electrical heaters

51. Occupational Asthma
• Symptoms usually begin several weeks after exposure begins.
• Early in the syndrome, the patient may just notice a dry cough.
• Patient may not be continuously exposed to provoking antigen.
• A portable peak-flow meter and a diary is very helpful in determining if a work-place antigen
is responsible