Yep, I did it again. I am hosting one of the more than 200 different viruses that can cause a cold. Most of them are highly contagious. Rhinoviruses are the most common, but other viruses, such as adenoviruses, coronaviruses, human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), can also lead to mild or severe upper respiratory symptoms or common colds.
I divide the colds I get into several categories:
- The deep chest cold. This usually begins with a tickle in the throat and within two days you feel like your chest is going to explode. As a host, you cough your lungs out trying to get rid of the greenish glop that you cough up.
There are lots of colors this mucus can be: green, pink, yellow, cloudy white or brown. None on this color scale is particularly enjoyable, but you can almost diagnose yourself by the color.
I am currently getting my only exercise by coughing.
2. The head cold. This sneaks up on you with either a runny nose or a nose you can’t breathe through. Sometimes it occurs in tandem with #1. You sound ridiculous when you talk with your nose stuffed and many people use some sort of nose drops to open themselves up. Unfortunately, you can get hooked on the nose drops and have to use them more and more frequently. I just stuff tissue up my nose since I can’t use it to breath anyway, and people just accept that I’m nuts.
3. The throat cold. This is strep throat, more common in kids. It comes on quickly, makes it painful to swallow, and your tonsils if you still have them (I still do, after many decades) are swollen with pockets of pus on the surface. Delightful.
Right now I have a mild combination of 1 and 2. When we first moved to North Carolina and I became engaged in teaching, I had a cold of some sort from August to May of the following year. Having run through all of the germs I was likely to encounter in this state, I now only get to enjoy a cold one a couple of times a year (not counting Covid.) Of course, if I travel out of state, I generally come back accompanied by a new germ I met along the way.
The time line of my colds.
Days 1–3: scratchy throat, coughing, runny nose or congestion, irritability, a continual longing for a nap.
Days 4–7: Aches, fatigues, more naps, more irritability and an unwillingness to cook anything.
Days 8–10: I should be getting over it but I’m still coughing and using the cold as an excuse not to do anything.
Having written this, I’m heading off for a nap….
Sorry you are suffering but your post was fun. While working for Big Pharma I sponsored some clinical studies on the effects of aspirin on the Rhinovirus. If taken within 12 hours of the first symptom aspirin was shown to significantly reduce the effects of the Rhinovirus. The studies were not expanded, so claims for the effectiveness could not be made. The studies did confirm antidotal opinions that aspirin if taken early could have ab effect on a cold. Of course Rhinovirus is only one of hundreds of viruses so it would be a shot in the dark.
Sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well, Noelle. “I am currently getting my only exercise by coughing.” What’s more annoying than needing sleep but having it disrupted by our constant coughing?
Sorry to hear it, although a funny post indeed. My mother seems to have had one after another since Christmas, (with the Norovirus thrown in for good measure), although, as she had the flu and the COVID vaccines, I hope she might avoid (or get very mild versions) of those ones. I tend to protect my throat even inside of the house, because I usually lose my voice pretty early in the process. I hope you get a good rest and get rid of this virus (and manage to escape all the rest) soon.
Right there with you. Hope you feel better soon. Think head colds are the ones I catch the most.
Mine always run straight to my chest.
Get well soon. We have a number of three-week colds doing the rounds at present, plus a few possible flue viruses that are different from the ones we’ve had jabs for this year. To be fair, this was expected. The flu variants seem to mainly affect people of working agae, so I’m staying put and mostly not going out unless it’s an open air event. And wearing a mask otherwise.
Hugs.
So sorry, Noelle. I hope you are able to vanish the virus and feel good again soon!!
Hi Noelle, I’m sorry to hear that you have been sidelined with a cold. I hope your symptoms improve soon. Feel better!
Thanks for your good wishes! I am on day five, so things should improve soon!
Thanks, John. I will try this next time! Really interesting finding!
Thanks, Pete. I hope you are well! Cough, cough.
My voice dropped two octaves on the second day! Always amusing. I’m sorry to hear your Mom is suffering from colds in sequence. We older folks tend to suffer longer than others. I’ll add her to my prayer list!
I’ve started to wear a mask when out as well. You have to be a hermit not to get a cold or Covid. Winter months are the worst because everything is in closed rooms. I also have a little germ-bearer in the family – my grandson, who loves in a germ cesspool – daycare!
Thanks, Jan. I have to expose myself to a little germ factory every week – my grandson!
Rest, rest, and rest again. Sending a virtual hug, Noelle – from a great distance!! x
Wishing you a full recovery soon ❤️
Thank you, Takami!
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I think you are safe!!! Thanks,m Judith.
Ugh, Noelle. Sorry to hear that you’re so sick. I can relate to the germy part of your teaching experience! The first year I started working with kids, I was sick for months! I hope this one is over quickly. Stay warm and get lots of rest. <3
Thanks, Diana. Your book tour is going swimmingly! I am on the downside of the cold, I think. Still tired but it is so cold here right now. I walk around in layers because our heating bills are sky high.