Description of the Common Cold

The common cold is caused by a virus which infects the upper respiratory tract (the nose and throat). The average adult catches a cold anywhere from two to four times a year, while young children can experience six to ten colds annually, usually due to exposure to other sick children in daycare or school environments. Typically, sufferers should recover in one to two weeks; any longer, and it would be prudent to see a doctor.

Causes

• More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, entering through the mouth or nose; the rhinovirus is the most prevalent and is very contagious. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Physical contact and sharing objects with someone who has a cold also spreads the virus.

Symptoms

• Once the virus enters your body, you will start to see symptoms about in one to three days. Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, minor body aches and headache, sneezing, watery eyes, a fever up to 102 degrees and mild fatigue. A common cold, unlike other viral infections, does not produce serious fatigue or a high fever.

  If you are an adult, see a doctor if your fever goes above 102 degrees and is a accompanied by aches and fatigue, sweating or chills; you should also seek medical care if you have swollen glands or severe sinus pain. You should take a child to the doctor if he is experiencing a fever above 103 degrees or one that lasts longer than 72 hours, accompanied by vomiting and stomach pain, intense headache, trouble breathing, ear pain and persistent cough.

Risk Factors

• Young children are most vulnerable as they have not fully developed resistance against the viruses, and spend lots of time with other children. Children are also not generally careful about hand washing or covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing. If you are an adult with a weakened immune system due to advanced age, illness, or certain medications, you are also at higher risk of catching a cold. Your chances increase during the fall and winter, since you are spending a lot of time indoors and children are in school.

Complications

• Acute ear infections are most common in children, but can occur in adults. If you have asthma, a cold can trigger wheezing. Sinusitis, where the sinuses become inflamed and infected, are common in both children and adults. Secondary infections like strep throat, pneumonia and bronchitis are also possible.

Treatments

• No cure currently exists and medications are in place just to relieve symptoms. Pain relievers available over the counter can treat fever, sore throat and headache; however, never give aspirin to children. You can use a decongestant nasal spray, but limit its use to only a few days to avoid inflaming your mucous membranes. While cough syrups are a popular weapon against a cold-induced cough, the American College of Chest Physicians states they are not effective at treating the underlying cause. This organization also warns that over-the-counter cough syrups and cold medications should not be used by children younger than 14.

  In fact, when using any cold medication for children, be sure it is labeled as a children's or infant's medication before using it.

  Some self-care strategies include plenty of rest and fluids; gargling with warm salt water several times a day to relieve cough and sore throat; using a humidifier to moisten the air; and eating chicken soup, which has been scientifically proven to treat colds by reducing inflammation and helping expel mucous more quickly.