COMMON COLD
The common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold.
The throat, sinuses, and larynx may also be affected. Although it might not feel that way, it is usually harmless. Signs and symptoms may appear less than two days after exposure to the virus. These may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. Children younger than 6 are at greatest risk of colds, but healthy adults can also expect to have two or three colds in a calendar year. The rate of recovery is usually in seven to ten days, but some symptoms may last up to three weeks. Symptoms might last longer especially in people who smoke. Occasionally those with other health problems may develop pneumonia.
More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold, with the rhinovirus causing approximately 30%-40% of all adult colds. The rhinovirus multiplies best at temperatures found within the nose. Rhinovirus infection rates peak at specific periods during a calendar year, even though it may still cause disease at any time of year. During the peak periods, most of the common colds (up to 80%), may be due to rhinovirus.
Other commonly implicated viruses include the coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and par influenza virus. So many different viruses can cause the common cold, and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the human body never builds up adequate resistance against all of them. Because of this, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. The fact is that, children in pre-school and elementary school can have up to 12 colds in a typical year while adolescents and adults may have 2 to 4 colds in a year. Common colds are most frequently during the cool seasons in a year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring viral infection in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
HOW A COMMON COLD STARTS
A person can be infected by another person who is already infected with the virus. This could be by direct physical contact with the person who has a cold, or by touching a surface contaminated with their germs (e.g. a computer keyboard, doorknob or spoon), and then touching the nose or mouth with the infected finger. One can also catch the cold from infected droplets in the air released by an infected person's sneeze or a cough.
A cold begins when a virus attaches to the lining of the nose or throat. The body's defense against germs (immune system) sends out white blood cells to attack this 'invader'. Unless the patient has had a run-in with that exact strain of the virus before, the initial attack can fail and the body sends in reinforcements.
The nose and throat get inflamed and thus make a lot of mucus. With so much of the person's energy directed at fighting the cold virus, he/she is left feeling tired and miserable.
COMMON COLD SYMPTOMS
When a cold strikes, one may have symptoms like:
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Scratchy or sore throat
- Watery eyes
- Mucus draining from the nose into the throat
If symptoms are more severe, such as high fever or muscle aches, may be a sign of the flu rather than a cold.
Kids and Colds
Children have colds many time in a year. A huge part of the reason is because they spend time at school or in day care centers in close contact with other kids for most of the day. It is trite knowledge that kids are not as conscientious about sneezing into the crook of their bent arm or frequent hand washing. They may also not have built up immunity to as many strains of colds as an adult would have.
It also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing contaminated objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
In general, common cold can be treated at home and managed with medications bought over-the-counter. However, if severe symptoms such as shaking chills, high fever (greater than 102 F) develop, or if severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, fails to improve after 10 days, consult a health care professional immediately. Again, if there is facial pain, redness, or swelling associated with yellow/green drainage from the nose accompanied by a fever, it is possible that the individual has a bacterial sinus infection (sinusitis) that would warrant a medical evaluation and a possible course of antibiotics
For children - in general, the child does not need to see the doctor for a common cold. But seek medical attention immediately if the child has any of the following:
- Symptoms that worsen or that fails to improve
- Lack of appetite
- Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns
- Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days in a child
- Headache and/or cough
- Wheezing
- Ear pain
- Extreme fussiness
- Unusual drowsiness
For adults — Medical attention must be sought if there is:
- A fever lasting five days or more or returning after a fever-free period
- Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain
- A fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C)
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
If a sore throat and a fever is present with no other cold symptoms, the illness may be strep throat, a bacterial infection requiring treatment with antibiotics. The individual should still be evaluated by a health care professional.
RISK FACTORS
The following factors can increase one's chances of catching a cold:
- Exposure - If the individual goes around many people, (e.g. at a school or on an airplane), he/she is more likely to be exposed to viruses that cause colds.
- Weakened immune system – Individuals with chronic illness or otherwise weakened immune system have increased risks.
- Smoking – One is more likely to catch a cold and to have more-severe colds if he/she is exposed to cigarette smoke.
- Age - Children below age 6 are at the greatest risk of catching colds, especially if they spend time in child-care situations.
- Time of year - Both children and adults are more susceptible to colds in cold and wintery conditions, even though one can catch a cold anytime.
DIAGNOSIS
Most people with a common cold can be diagnosed by the signs and symptoms and the findings during the physical exam. If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection or other condition, he/she may order a chest X-ray or other tests to exclude other causes of the symptoms.
With common colds, laboratory testing and imaging studies are generally not necessary unless there are concerns about another underlying medical condition, such as a bacterial disease or potential complications of the common cold.
TREATMENT
The common cold is a self-limiting illness that will resolve spontaneously with time and expectant management. There is no cure for the common cold. Home remedies and medical treatments are directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold even as the body fights off the infection.
Treatment at home for upper respiratory infections generally includes rest and drinking plenty of fluids. In older children and adults, common drugs that can be bought over-the-counter, (e.g. throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups) may help relieve symptoms, though they may not necessarily prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold.
Decongestant drugs or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms. Saline nasal sprays may also be beneficial, so will gargling with warm saltwater help people with sore throats. It is important to note that over-the-counter medications may cause undesirable side effects, they therefore must be taken as directed and with care.
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol and others) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen are common over-the-counter medicines that can help with symptoms of cold.
Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses and should be jettisoned unless there's a bacterial infection.
Pros and cons of commonly used cold remedies include:
- Caution with aspirin - Parents should exercise caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Children and teenagers especially those recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is explained by the fact that aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome. This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in such children.
- Childrens' medications - For common cold and indeed all other conditions, parent must give their children pain medications designed for infants or children and that are bought over-the-counter. These include Children's Tylenol or Children's Advil, Children's ibuprofen (Motrin) to ease symptoms.
- Decongestant nasal sprays – These can be used among adults for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause a rebound of the symptoms. Children younger than 6 should not use decongestant drops or sprays under any circumstance.
- Cough syrups - There are strong recommendation against giving cough and cold medicines that are bought over the counter to children younger than 4years because they may be harmful. There is yet no good evidence to show that these remedies are beneficial or safe for children.
- It is also not typically recommended that parents give cough or cold medicines to an older child. However, it always advisable to follow the labeled directions. It is not prudent to give a child two medicines that have the same active ingredient this could lead to an accidental overdose.
PREVENTION
There's no vaccine for the common cold, but commonsense precautions can be used to slow the spread of cold viruses:
- Washing of hands – Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, and teach children the importance of hand-washing. In case soap and water are not available, make use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect all handy stuff – Kitchens must be cleaned, same as bathrooms, countertops with disinfectant, especially when someone has a cold in the house, parents might want to wash childrens' toys periodically.
- Use of tissues - Sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, then wash hands again carefully.
- Sneezing – Children must to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouths without using their hands.
- Do not share – It is advisable not to share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Resort to using disposable cups especially when one is sick.
- Stay clear of the infected - Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold.
- Choose the child care centers wisely - Choose a child center with good hygienic practices.
- Take care of oneself – Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise more and manage stress. These might help keep colds at bay.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
To ensure that one is comfortable as possible even with a cold, try the following;
- Rest – one should stay at home, abstain from work or school if they have a fever or a bad cough or are drowsy after taking medications. Apart from rest, this will reduce the chances of infecting others.
- Sooth the throat - A saltwater gargle (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in a 4-ounce to 8-ounce glass of warm water) can relieve a sore or scratchy throat albeit temporarily.
- Drink plenty of fluids - Water, juice, or warm lemon water are good choices. Avoid dehydrants like caffeine and alcohol.
- Eat soups – Soups like chicken soup and other warm fluids can loosen nasal congestion and be soothing.
- Adjust room humidity and temperature – Rooms must be kept just warm, not overheated. In case the air is dry in the room, a humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease the congestion and cough.
- Use saline nasal drops -To help relieve nasal congestion, one could try using saline nasal drops. These can be bought over-the-counter, and can help in relieving symptoms, in both adults and children.
ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES
Vitamin C – Judging from recent studies, it does not appear as if taking vitamin C will help the average person prevent colds.
Echinacea - Studies on this plant's effectiveness at preventing or shortening periods for colds are mixed. However, if the person's immune system is healthy, and he/she is not taking prescription medications and at the same time not allergic to the plant, using Echinacea supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.
Zinc - The reputation of zinc regarding its being used to fight colds cannot be relied upon because many of the studies are flawed. In those studies with positive results, zinc lozenges seemed most effective if taken within a few hours of the onset of symptoms.
Side effects of zinc include a bad taste and nausea.
WARNING - Intranasal zinc might cause permanent damage to the sense of smell. A warning has been issued against the use of three nasal cold remedies that contain zinc because they had been associated with a long-lasting or permanent loss of smell (anosmia).
