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COMMON COLD

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

COMMON COLD

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract.

  • The common cold primarily affects the nose but can also affect the throat, sinuses, and
  • The common cold and influenza are both respiratory illnesses but the two conditions are caused by different viruses.
  • Those affected by cold have symptoms that are similar to people suffering from influenza, but influenza symptoms are more severe.
  • While cold symptoms can last for few days, influenza symptoms can make you feel sick for a few days to weeks and influenza can lead to serious health conditions such as pneumonia and even sometimes hospitalization
  • The common cold is the most frequently occurring infectious disease in the world affecting humans.
  • An average adult is infected two to three times a year while an average child may get cold six to eight times a year depending on their age and exposure.
  • The common cold is prevalent during the fall, winter, and

CAUSES

Over 200 cold viruses exist but the most common that is thought to be responsible for at least 50% of cold is the rhinovirus. Other viruses that can lead to cold include coronavirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.

The virus enters the body through the mouth, eyes or nose and is spread by hand-to-hand contact. This usually happens when an infected person blows or touches their nose and then touches a person or an object. A healthy individual who is exposed to this infected secretion either by direct contact or by touching the contaminated object becomes infected often after their contaminated hand touches their own eyes, nose or mouth.

The virus can also spread through droplet in the air after infected individuals sneeze, cough or talk.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms usually occur after one to three days of being exposed to a cold virus. This signs and symptoms may vary from person to person and includes:

  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Low-grade fever
  • Chest discomfort
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • Body aches
  • Chills
  • A headache
  • Mucus draining into the back of the throat from the nose
  • Hoarse voice

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS

A doctor can diagnose the common cold based on your signs and symptoms and findings during physical exam. If there are concerns about another underlying medical condition such as a bacterial infection, your doctor may order An X-ray or other tests.

TREATMENT
  • No cure exists for the common cold.
  • The common cold will resolve with time on its own and expectant management.
  • Home remedies and medical treatment are directed at relieving the symptoms associated with the common cold.

Home remedies for the common cold in older children and adults may include

  • Getting rest
  • Taking a lot of fluids
  • Using saline nasal drops to help relieve nasal congestion
  • Warm salt water gargle may be beneficial to people with a sore throat

In infants and small children, home remedies may include

  • Getting rest
  • Taking plenty of fluids
  • Saline nasal drops and bulb suctioning may be used in clearing mucus from the nasal passage. This procedure involves applying a saline drop and then gently suctioning the nostril with a bulb syringe inserted about ½ or ¼ inch.
Medical treatment may include:
  • Pain relives for fever, sore throat and headache. Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and Ibuprofen (Advil) may help with such symptoms.
  • Adults can use decongestant nasal sprays but children younger than 6 are not recommended to use decongestant nasal spray.