Winter morning, the curd bowl comes out and an elder says, "Not in this cold — it will make the phlegm worse." In the same house, someone else says an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Both come from care, and both deserve a closer look.
In short:
- Colds are caused by viruses, not by curd.
- Curd is good food and can be eaten during a cold.
- An apple is healthy, but it cannot replace a doctor or your medicine.
- Rest, warm fluids and clean hands help most.
What is a common cold and how does it spread?
A cold is an infection of the nose and throat caused by many different viruses. Cold air, curd or a "weak stomach" do not cause it.
Common signs are a runny or blocked nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headache, mild body aches and sometimes mild fever. Most people get better in less than a week.
The virus spreads in two ways:
- Tiny drops from a cough or sneeze that reach another person's nose or mouth.
- Touching a surface that has the virus on it, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Some people have a higher risk of serious illness from these viruses: infants, older adults, people with a long-term illness, and people with weak immunity.
Does curd during a cold make phlegm worse?
Many families have believed this for generations. It feels logical: the throat already feels full, so a cool, thick food seems like the last thing you need.
Nothing in the science says curd increases phlegm or makes a cold worse. The phlegm is your own body's response to the virus.
Curd is good food too
Curd gives protein and calcium, and it is soft and easy to swallow when the throat hurts. If you feel like eating it, eat it.
One thing to watch is freshness. Curd left out too long in the heat can upset the stomach, cold or no cold.
Can an apple a day keep the doctor away?
An apple is a good fruit. It has fiber, vitamins and plant compounds, and it fits well in a daily diet. But no single fruit can stop illness, and no fruit can treat illness once it starts.
People who eat an apple every day still get fevers. They still need tests when a doctor advises them, and they still need any medicines prescribed for them, such as BP or sugar medicines. The saying is more than 150 years old and rhymes beautifully, which is a large reason it stuck.
Enjoy your apple. Just do not let it stand between you and a doctor.
What actually helps when you have a cold
Most colds settle on their own. These simple steps help while your body fights the virus:
- Rest well. Sleep helps the body repair itself.
- Sip warm fluids through the day — water, dal, soup, warm milk.
- Eat what you can — dal-chawal, roti, khichdi, curd, fruit.
- Gargle with warm salt water if your throat hurts.
- Wash hands with soap, and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Keep away from smoke, including cigarette and incense smoke.
What about antibiotics?
Colds come from viruses. Antibiotics work on bacteria, not viruses. So antibiotics do not help a cold.
Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Then some infections become harder to treat. That is why doctors are careful about prescribing them.
If a doctor gives you an antibiotic, take it as advised and finish the course.
What about COVID-19 and flu?
If the symptoms feel like COVID-19 or flu, get tested, especially if you are at higher risk. If you are at higher risk, ask a doctor about early treatment. Antiviral medicines work best when started soon after symptoms begin.
When to see a doctor
Go to a doctor if you notice any of these:
- Wheezing or trouble breathing.
- You are a baby, an older adult, or you have a long-term illness or weak immunity, and you have cold-like symptoms.
- The cold is not better after a week, or it keeps getting worse.
- High fever, chest pain, or you cannot eat or drink.
- Your child is very sleepy, is not passing urine, or is breathing fast.
Never stop a medicine or skip a check-up on your own because of a home remedy.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child eat curd during a cold?
Yes. Curd is soft, gives protein and calcium, and does not make a cold worse. Just make sure it is fresh.
Can I stop my BP or sugar medicine if I eat an apple every day?
No. Apples are healthy, but they cannot replace your medicine. Never stop or change a medicine without asking your doctor.
How long does a cold usually last?
Most colds get better in less than a week. If it drags on or gets worse, see a doctor.
Do antibiotics help a cold?
No. Colds come from viruses, and antibiotics do not work on viruses. Using them wrongly can make bacteria resistant, so some infections become harder to treat.
A cold is uncomfortable but usually small. For any health problem, see a doctor — that is the safest step.
