Common cold

Alternative Names

Upper respiratory infection - viral, Cold

What is Common cold

The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It affects mostly nose and throat. More than 200 viruses are involved in causing common cold. The most widespread are rhinoviruses. A common cold is usually not dangerous but it may not feel that way. Preschool children are more likely to have frequent colds. However even if you are healthy adults you are at risk of having a few colds each year.

Signs and symptoms

The most common cold symptoms are:

• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• scratchy throat
• sneezing
• cough
• decreased appetite
• headache
• muscle aches
• postnasal drip
• sore throat

Possible complications

Common cold can cause the following complications:

• acute ear infection (otitis media)
• wheezing
• sinusitis
• other secondary infections

What causes

Although a great number of viruses can trigger a common cold, the rhinovirus is the most common cause. The level of its contagion is very high. A cold virus interferes with your organism through your mouth or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by using shared objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you're at high risk of catching a cold.

Prevention

You can protect yourself from common cold by taking the following precautions:

• always wash your hands
• disinfect: clean commonly touched surfaces
• choose smaller daycare classes
• use instant hand sanitizers: these products use alcohol to destroy germs
• use paper towels instead of sharing cloth towels

Treatment

There is no cure for the common cold, but usually it is recommended to use antibiotics. The treatment plan should be determined by your doctor. The most common ways of reducing the symptoms of common cold are:

• pain relievers (for fever, sore throat and headache, many people turn to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other mild pain relievers)
• decongestant nasal sprays
• cough syrups

(i>You should discuss the safeness of any medication with the doctor. They can cause side effects and impact on your health condition. Everyone’s case is individual.