Sweating to cure a cold: Myth or fact

Can a cold be cured by sweating

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that viruses cause the common cold. You can catch a virus when other people cough or sneeze, and you accidentally inhale it.

Once viruses enter the body, they begin to multiply. In response, the body triggers an immune reaction. Some viral symptoms, such as fever, indicate that the immune system is fighting the infection. Sweating does not affect this process.

You will start feeling better only after the immune system has fought off the virus, which for most people takes 7 to 10 days.

According to MedlinePlus, inhaling warm, moist air — for example, during a hot shower or in a sauna — may help relieve cold symptoms such as nasal congestion.

Can you exercise while having a cold

The American Lung Association notes that physical activity increases blood circulation, which can temporarily relieve nasal congestion. For this reason, some people believe that light exercise, such as walking, helps them feel better when they have a cold.

However, overdoing it can make the situation worse. Rest and hydration are critical for recovery.

It is also important to avoid gyms or other public places where the cold could spread.

Stages of a cold

In general, the stages are as follows:

• Early stage – after infection, the virus begins to multiply. Symptoms may appear within one to three days.

• Active stage – once the body mounts an immune response to the cold, you may experience a runny nose, cough, and fatigue.

• Prolonged symptoms – cold symptoms usually do not last longer than 10 days. If they persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

How to recover faster

Some measures may help speed up recovery:

• Drink plenty of water – maintaining hydration can reduce nasal congestion and improve overall comfort.

• Rest – resting allows the body to focus energy on fighting the virus. Sleep up to 10 hours per night and avoid strenuous physical activity.

• Humidify the air – moist air can help relieve congestion during illness.

• Avoid smoking – smoking can irritate the upper respiratory tract, which is already battling the cold.

Seek medical attention promptly if you experience any of the following:

• Muscle pain, fever

• Difficulty breathing

• Skin rash along with cold symptoms

• Severe, persistent cough.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.