Common cold recurrence can lead to asthma

An article by
Dr Asghar Ali Shah
Homeopathic Physician
Published in The News International on December 08, 2012


The common cold is a viral infection prevalent in all age groups. It recurs frequently and infects the upper respiratory system. The illness becomes a leading cause of visits to doctors and leaves from schools and jobs. Colds are usually harmless and get better on their own within a week.


But ignored or badly treated cases of recurrent common cold, respiratory allergies and infections can turn into asthma. Chronic asthmatic problems have no permanent cure in allopathy. All asthmatic cases are only temporarily managed through ventoline inhalers (bronchodilators) and steroids which of course have their severe side-effects.

Symptoms of the common cold usually appear about one to three days after exposure to coldness. Dry throat, sore throat, cough, mild fever, sneezing, hoarse voice, blocked nose, mild headache are usually experienced and some patients may also have muscle aches, shivering, pink eye, weakness, reduction in appetite and exhaustion. Adults and older children generally have a low fever or no fever.

Experts say that a cold virus spreads through tiny air droplets that are released when the sick person sneezes, coughs, or blows his nose. Researchers have identified that more than 200 different viruses can cause cold symptoms and it has been difficult for scientists to develop a vaccine for so many cold causing viruses. Antibiotics and antiviral medications do not cure cold nor do they speed up recovery. Rather they may make the situation worse due to their ineffectiveness against viruses that cause the common cold.

Several research studies show that approximately 25% of people do not suffer from any common cold symptoms because of their immunity. The immune system is the body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Immunity is a state in which the body is protected from infectious disease. Our immune system helps the body fight off infections.

The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. When you have immunity to something, it means that your body can fight that disease or infection without you knowing it. Eventually, the immune system eliminates the virus completely and we are well again!

Colds often respond very well to homeopathic remedies so it has a tremendous advantage over the allopathic medicines which have no cure for the common cold. Homeopathy emphasizes treating the underlying imbalance in the immune system rather than simply suppressing the infection.

Cold infection may lead to acute bronchitis, pneumonia and acute bacterial sinusitis-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma attacks can be caused by a cold, especially in children.

Homeopathy during the last two hundred years has shown great successes in curing permanently all sorts of respiratory disorders. It is a scientific system of medicine which focuses on identifying the uniqueness of a case. It individualizes each and every case of even simple common cold and also those of severe chronic asthma.

Even two identical twins have many features which differentiate them from each other. One likes salty dishes while the other may be a sweet lover. One likes to take chilled water while the other dislikes it and so on. You must have observed that in one family two individuals respond differently to the same situation, one has fear of dark while the other is unable to sleep with lights on. But unfortunately millions of asthmatic sufferers are indiscriminately given bronchodilators and steroids throughout their life without ever getting any hope for complete recovery.

No medical scientist in the world can claim to have discovered all the hidden secrets of the human body. It’s only through the signs and symptoms that a doctor can perceive the exact picture of the disease which indicates the right remedy. A homeopath uses his knowledge and skill in interpreting the language of signs and symptoms of the patient’s mind and body.