Common Cold

What is the common cold?

The common cold is a complex human disease caused by the most common and numerous respiratory viruses.

Causes of the common cold

More than 200 types of viruses can cause the common cold. The most common belong to one of these two groups:

Rhinoviruses

Coronaviruses

The common cold virus is typically transmitted through airborne droplets, infected nasal secretions or direct contact with contaminated objects. Because many different viruses cause colds, it is possible to have a cold many times in a row. The viruses that cause colds affect the lining of the nose and throat, causing symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and sneezing.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?

Patients typically have

• Nasal congestion 
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Cough 
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Low-grade fever is present.

Symptoms usually start a few days after infection and some symptoms can last 10-14 days.

Treatment of the common cold

The main goal of treatment is to reduce symptom duration and severity. Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids to maintain fluid balance are reasonable preventive measures.

What treatments are useful for adults?

• Using an otc product containing antihistamine and decongestant can help reduce coughing and make breathing easier.
  
• For headaches and body pain, painkillers containing ibuprofen and paracetamol can help.
• Nasal decongestant sprays can help to breathe easier.
• Lozenges containing zinc can help reduce symptoms and help a cold to get better quickly. However, they should be started within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
• Taking vitamin C every day will not prevent you from getting sick, but it will help your cold to go away faster.

Which treatments are not useful for adults?

• Antibiotics are not useful because they do not kill viruses.
  
• Antihistamines without decongestants
• Antivirals
• Cough suppressants such as dexmetorphan and guaifenesin
• Codeine
• Echinacea
• Nasal sprays containing saline
• Cortisone nasal sprays

What treatments are useful for children?

• Painkillers containing paracetamol and ibuprofen
  
• Acetylcysteine: The mucolytic acetylcysteine can safely reduce cough after six to seven days in children aged two years and older.
• Ipratropium: Intranasal ipratropium may reduce runny nose in children. It should not be used in children under five years of age.
• Honey is good for coughs but should not be used in children under one year of age.
• Saline nasal spray helps with runny and stuffy nose.
• An herbal remedy called South African geranium can help with coughing and help your child breathe easier.
• Massaging with a menthol solution can help coughing and help your child breathe easier. However, it has a strong odor that some children do not like. It can be used in children aged two years and older.

Which treatments are not useful for children?

• Antibiotics are not useful because they are not effective against viruses.
  
• Codeine
• Echinacea
• Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines (otc products should not be used in children aged four years and under due to their association with low efficacy and significant mortality rates.
• Steam, mist
• Cortisone nasal sprays
• Vitamin D

Risk factors

The common cold is a very common human disease. Factors influencing the development and susceptibility to cold symptoms have been discussed for centuries and a vast literature of science and folklore has been created

Prevention

The only useful way to reduce the spread of cold viruses is to use proper handwashing technique and face masks; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; use aprons and disposable gloves in healthcare settings; and stay away from sick people. Good hand hygiene is the most effective and practical means of prevention in children and adults. Using hand sanitizer is more protective than hand washing and is associated with shorter duration of symptoms and fewer school absences. Washing hands for at least 15 to 30 seconds several times a day can help prevent the disease. Regular soap is as effective as antibacterial soap.

Colds and influenza

Viral respiratory infections are the most common diseases in humans. Every person will suffer from a viral respiratory infection many times during their lifetime. The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection, mainly affecting the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses, often with a mild course. Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are the most important causative agents of the common cold. Although the infection has a benign character, it causes a significant number of visits to the doctor, absenteeism in schoolchildren, and workforce retardation in employees and thus significant economic losses in societies. Today, studies on the treatment of the common cold have focused on symptomatic treatment, pharmacologic treatment and antiviral treatment. Influenza is a highly contagious and globally important acute infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by influenza viruses. The most important features of the disease are that it is prone to seasonal outbreaks and potential pandemics and can cause pulmonary complications and mortality. Unlike many viruses, there are effective and well-tolerated influenza vaccines, antiviral drugs and chemo-prophylaxis options for influenza.

When to seek medical help?

Most people with a cold will feel better after a week or two. However, some people who are sick can develop illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. This is more common in people with asthma or other respiratory conditions who have a weakened immune system.

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
  
• Fluid loss
• Fever lasting more than 4 days
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without improvement
• Symptoms such as fever and cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions
• If you or your child has any of these conditions that cause you concern, you should always seek medical advice.

Summary

The common cold is a complex human disease caused by the most common and numerous respiratory viruses. It primarily affects the respiratory mucosa in the nose, throat, sinuses and larynx. Symptoms may include a stuffy runny nose, tickling in the throat, itching, sneezing, watery eyes and low-grade fever. Symptoms usually start a few days after infection. Some symptoms can last 10-14 days. More than 200 types of viruses are reported to cause the common cold, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. The common cold virus is typically transmitted through airborne droplets, infected nasal secretions or direct contact with contaminated objects. Certain risk factors (stress, crowded environment, diet, season, lack of sleep, age, smoking, immune status, etc.) can increase the risk of catching the common cold virus and getting sick. Flu symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, but are usually more severe. There is no vaccine for the common cold. The only useful ways to reduce the spread of cold viruses are to use proper handwashing technique and masks, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, use gowns and disposable gloves in healthcare settings, and stay away from sick people. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids to maintain fluid balance are reasonable preventive measures. Antibiotics have no effect against viral infections, including the common cold. The common cold is the most common infectious disease in humans. Under normal circumstances, the average adult catches a cold one to three times a year, while the average child catches a cold six to eight times a year.