Understanding common cold : its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Common cold, acute viral rhinopharyngitis or acute coryza  is a viral infectious disease of your nose and throat that infects the upper respiratory system. There are over 200 viruses that can cause the common cold including coronaviruses and rhinoviruses. 

The human body can never build up resistance to common cold. Because of the number of virus (200 virus) that can cause common cold. This is why common cold often return. Cold symptoms normally improve within 1 week, although some may last longer, especially in children.

The common cold is contagious, it can be spread by air droplets from coughs and sneezes and by touching infected surfaces. Children younger than 6 are at greatest risk of colds, but healthy adults can also expect to have two or three colds annually.

Even though there is no vaccine against the viruses that cause the common cold, but there are steps you can take to speed up the recovery process and prevent future illness. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Cold viruses infect the tissues that line the inside of the mouth, throat, and nose. And when  these infected membranes swell or inflamed  the cold symptoms begin. Usually a sore throat is the first symptom to show up, followed by a runny nose.

Most common symptoms of a cold are:-

• sore throat
• dry throat
• mild fever
• sneezing
• cough
• hoarse voice
• blocked nose
• mild headache

Rarer symptoms of a cold include:-

• muscle aches
• shivering
• weakness
• reduction in appetite
• extreme exhaustion

The cold virus can also infect other parts of the body. For instance, the eye infection known as pinkeye (mild conjunctivitis) can occur. Sometimes, bacteria can infect the ears or sinuses during this viral infection this is known as a secondary bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics. Cold symptoms may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your healthcare expert for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe

Causes

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. Around 50 percent of colds are caused by rhinoviruses, other cold-causing viruses include human parainfluenza virus, Human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses adenovirus, human respiratory syncytial virus and enteroviruses.
You can also catch a cold by touching contaminated objects and surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Making the Diagnosis

A cold, flu (influenza) or COVID-19  can feel much like other viral infections  but are different than common cold. That's because all of these illnesses affect the upper respiratory tract.  However, the flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia and even death. What may seem like a cold, could be the flu. Be aware of these differences.

The fastest way to diagnose your illness is to check out your symptoms. For example, fever is a common symptom for the flu and COVID-19 but not for a cold. Refer the chart above that distinguishing symptoms of each.

If you start developing symptoms that aren't typical of the common cold  like coughing up thick brownish sputum, getting a bad headache, developing a high fever or earache, or respiratory problems you might have a more serious infection. In this case you should see your doctor.

When to see a doctor

If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, let your doctor know. If your symptoms don't improve within a few days, call your doctor, as you could have another type of infection.

 For adults - seek medical attention if you have:

• Fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C)
• Fever lasting five days or more or returning after a fever-free period
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Severe sore throat, headache or sinus pain

For children - seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following:

• Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks
• Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days in a child of any age
• Severe symptoms, such as headache or coughing
• Wheezing
• Ear pain
• Unusual drowsiness
• Lack of appetite

Treatments

A cold normally lasts up to 10 days; however, some symptoms can stay as long as 3 weeks. Antibiotics are not effective against colds because colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are only helpful for bacterial infections.
Although there is no real way of treating or curing a common cold, the following measures may help ease the symptoms:

Drink lots of fluids

Keeping your body hydrated by drinking lots of liquid (especially water) is a great way to relieve a stuffy nose from a cold. Drinking fluids can dilute your mucus and make it easier for you to drain the mucus from your stuffy nose.

Get plenty of bed rest

When you're asleep, that's when your body is working its hardest to fight inflammation and infection. Bed rest for a day or two can help you feel better.

Eat right

Including food rich in zinc compounds, vitamin C, and  Echinacea supplements can improve your immune system which can ramp up the healing process

Take over-the-counter medication

OTC medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can help you relieve from headache or fever. But they cannot help you recover any faster. children under 16 should not be given aspirin.

I hope I was able to explain about common cold. Now that you know why not share this knowledge with others and inform them too. If you are new to our blog and like our Information please subscribe us and follow us and you will be notified everytime when we post something new.

STAY HEALTHY

STAY HAPPY