Common cold

Symptoms & causes Diagnosis & treatment Doctors & departments Care at Vejthani

Overview

The common cold primarily affects the nose and throat, and while it is generally not considered a severe illness, it can be quite uncomfortable. This condition is primarily caused by viral infections.

Common colds can spread rapidly, particularly in close quarters like homes, offices, and classrooms. They are caused by a multitude of different viruses, with over 200 known strains.

In the case of adults, it’s not uncommon for them to experience two or three colds each year. Children, especially infants and young ones, tend to be more susceptible to frequent colds.

For most individuals, a common cold typically lasts for about 7 to 10 days before symptoms subside. However, smokers may experience more persistent symptoms. In general, common colds usually do not necessitate medical intervention. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to consult a doctor if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve over time.

Symptoms

Common cold symptoms often appear one to three days after a person is infected with the virus. The symptoms differ and they may consist of:

Cough
Sneezing
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Low-grade fever
Headaches or body aches
Itchy or sore throat
Feeling sick

Your nose’s mucus may begin clear at first and then become yellow or green as it thickens. This shift is typical. It doesn’t usually indicate that you have a bacterial infection.

Adults. For the most part, a common cold does not require medical attention. However, consult your doctor if you have:

Symptoms that either do not improve or get worse.
Too much headache, sinus pain, or sore throat pain
A fever lasting more than three days and higher than 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degrees Celsius).
Recurring fever following a time of no fever
Wheezing.
Difficulty of breathing

Children. The majority of kids with a common cold don’t require medical attention. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, get them checked out straight away:

Breathing difficulties or wheezing.
In neonates up to 12 weeks of age, a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
A child of any age with a rising fever or a fever that lasts longer than two days.
Severe symptoms including coughing, headaches, or sore throats.
Ear pain.
Exceptionally fussy or sleepy behavior.
Loss of appetite

Causes

The common cold can be attributed to various viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most frequent offenders.

It is through the mouth, eyes, or nose that a cold virus enters the body. The virus may proliferate through:

Droplets released into the air when a sick person talks, sneezes, or coughs.
Making physical touch with a sick person.
Spreading the virus via shared items like dishes, towels, toys, or phones.
After coming into contact with the virus, touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Risk factors

The following variables may make catching a cold more likely:

Age. Compared to other individuals, infants and young children are more susceptible to colds, especially if they spend time in child care facilities.
Being immunocompromised. Your risk increases if you have a compromised immune system or a chronic illness.
Exposure. The likelihood of catching a cold rises when one is in close quarters, such on a flight or at school.
Time of year. In the fall and winter, colds are more common in both adults and children.
Smoking. Colds are more likely to strike people who smoke or who are around secondhand smoke.

Diagnosis

Typically, a common cold does not necessitate medical intervention. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor if your symptoms worsen or persist.

In most instances, common cold cases can be diagnosed based on their symptoms. Your doctor may perform a throat or nasal swab to rule out other potential infections. In some cases, a chest X-ray may be ordered to rule out any lung conditions.

Treatment

The common cold has no known remedy. Without medical intervention, the majority of common cold cases resolve in seven to ten days. Still, a cough can linger for a few more days.

As your body heals, taking care of yourself is the finest thing you can do. Among the care recommendations are:

Use saline nasal rinses.
Take a rest.
Consume a lot of fluids.
Humidify the air.

Cold viruses cannot be treated by antibiotics. They are used to treat bacterial infections.

Pain relievers

The discomfort of a fever, headache, or sore throat can be reduced with over-the-counter pain medicines.

Adults. Adults who want nonprescription pain treatment include:

Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen

Children. The following recommendations apply to children’s painkillers:

Use over-the-counter, kid-sized painkillers. These include ibuprofen or children’s acetaminophen.
If you’re unsure of the appropriate dosage, give your healthcare practitioner a call.
If your child is younger than three months old, wait to give them acetaminophen until they have seen a doctor.
Never give aspirin to kids or teenagers. Reye’s syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal illness, has been associated with aspirin use in children and teenagers who have chickenpox or the flu.
To minimize adverse effects, take these medications for the shortest time possible and follow label directions.
Children who are vomiting often or younger than six months old should not be given ibuprofen.

Decongestant nasal sprays

Adults. Decongestant sprays or drops can be used by adults for a maximum of five days. These relieve nasal congestion. Extended usage may result in the recurrence of symptoms.

Children. Decongestant sprays and drops should not be used on children under the age of six. Before giving nasal decongestants to children older than six years old, see your doctor.

Cough syrups

The symptoms of coughs and colds, not the underlying illness, are treated with over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Studies reveal that these medications are no more effective in treating colds than a placebo, which is an inactive substance often used in research.

Adults. Use these recommendations for over-the-counter cough and cold remedies:

Avoid taking two medications that share an active ingredient, such as a decongestant, antihistamine, or an analgesic. An unintentional overdose could result from using too much of one component.
Read the label instructions and abide by them.

Children. Children should not usually be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. These medications have adverse effects that could be lethal, including overdosing in children under the age of two. Before giving your child any over-the-counter cough or cold medication, consult your child’s doctor.

Diseases & Conditions Common cold