The common cold

The common coldThe common cold, also known simply as the cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract¹ that primarily affects the nose. It is also possible that the throat, sinuses, and voice box get also affected². It is the most frequent infectious disease in humans. The average adult gets two to four colds a year, while the average child may get six to eight. They occur more commonly during the winter. These infections have been with humanity throughout history.

 

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms may begin less than two days following exposure. They include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People usually recover in seven to ten days. Some symptoms may last up to three weeks. In those with other health problems, pneumonia³ may occasionally develop.

 

Cause

Well over 200 virus strains are implicated⁴ in the cause of the common cold; the rhinoviruses are the most common. They spread through the air during close contact with infected people and indirectly⁵ through contact with infected objects. Risk factors include going to daycare, not sleeping well, and psychological stress. Symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves.

 

Influenza⁶ versus⁷ the common cold

In the early stages of infection, it can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza. The latter is commonly referred to as the flu and is usually a more severe disease than the cold. In fact, influenza is a mixture of symptoms of common cold and pneumonia. Influenza patients may suffer from fever, body aches, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting⁸, and fatigue⁹.

 

Treatment of the common cold

There is no vaccine¹⁰ for the common cold. The primary methods of prevention are the following:

 

hand washing;

not touching¹¹ the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; 

and staying away from other sick people.

Some evidence supports the importance of using face masks.

 

No cure for the common cold exists, but the symptoms can be treated. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help with pain. Antibiotics¹² should not be used. In addition, evidence from research does not support any benefit from cough medicines.

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