Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to;
- Define common cold.
- Describe the symptoms of a common cold.
- Describe the causes of a common cold.
- Describe risk factors associated with a common cold.
- Describe the prevention of the common cold.
- Explain the diagnosis and treatment of a common cold.
A common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It's usually harmless. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold. Healthy adults can expect to have two or three colds each year while infants and young children may have even more frequent colds. Most people recover from a common cold in a week or 10 days but symptoms in some cases might last longer. Generally, you don't need medical attention for a common cold. However, if symptoms persist, see your doctor.
Symptoms of a common cold
Symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Signs and symptoms can vary from person to person, and might include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Low-grade fever
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Slight body aches or a mild headache
- Congestion
- Generally feeling unwell
The discharge from your nose may start out clear and become thicker and yellow or green as a common cold runs its course. This doesn't usually mean you have a bacterial infection. But, you may check with your doctor.
For adults, seek medical attention if:
- Symptoms fail to improve
- Fever greater than 38.5 Celsius lasts more than three days
- Fever returns after a fever-free period
- Have a severe sore throat
- If wheezing
- If experience shortness of breath
A child doesn't need to see a doctor for a common cold, but if the common cold persists with the following symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention:
- Fever of 38 Celsius in newborns up to 12 weeks
- Lack of appetite
- Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days in a child of any age
- Severe symptoms, such as headache, throat pain, or cough
- Extreme fussiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusual drowsiness
Causes of a common cold
Many types of viruses can cause a common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common cause. A cold virus enters your body through your mouth, eyes, or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing contaminated objects, such as towels, telephones, eating utensils, and toys. If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after such contact, you're likely to catch a cold.
Risk factors associated with a common cold
These factors can increase the chances of getting a cold:
- Age. Infants and young children are at the greatest risk of colds, especially if they spend time during child care.
- Weakened immune system. Having a chronic illness or otherwise weakened immune system increases your risk.
- Time of year. Both children and adults are more likely to get colds in fall and winter, but you can get a cold anytime.
- Smoking. You're more likely to catch a cold and to have more-severe colds if you are an active smoker.
- Exposure. If you're around crowds, such as at school or on an airplane, you're likely to be exposed to viruses that cause colds.
Complications
These conditions can occur along with your cold:
- Acute ear infection. This occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the space behind the eardrum. Typical signs and symptoms include earaches or the return of a fever following a common cold.
- Acute sinusitis. In adults or children, a common cold that doesn't resolve can lead to swelling and pain (inflammation), and infection of the sinuses.
- Asthma. A cold can trigger wheezing, even if you don't have asthma. If you have asthma, a cold can make it worse.
Prevention of common cold
People can take common precautions to slow down the spread of the common cold virus by practicing the following:
- Washing your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water thoroughly. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Disinfect your stuff. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics, and kitchen and bathroom countertops daily. Wash children's toys periodically.
- Cover your cough. Sneeze and cough into tissues. Throw away used tissues right away, then wash your hands thoroughly. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow and then wash your hands.
- Stay away from people with colds. Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold. Stay out of crowds, when possible, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Review your childcare center's policies. Look for a childcare setting with good hygiene practices and clear policies about keeping sick children at home.
- Eating well, getting exercise and enough sleep are good for your overall health.
Diagnosis and treatment of common cold
A person does not need to see a doctor for the common cold as it goes away by itself. There is no specific treatment for the common cold. It is highly important that people take care of themselves by drinking plenty of liquids, humidifying the air, using saline nasal rinses, and getting adequate rest. Some medicine like cough syrup is taken to treat coughs, not the underlying disease. However, it is advisable to seek medical attention if symptoms persist. If your doctor suspects that you have a bacterial infection or other condition, may order a chest X-ray or other tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Summary
We've learned that:
- A common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract).
- Many types of viruses can cause a common cold, but the most common are rhinoviruses.
- Most people recover from a common cold in a week.
- Prevention measures can be taken to slow down the spread of the common cold.
