About the Common Cold

Are you familiar with the term "acute viral nasopharyngtis"? You should be, because it is the medical term for the common cold. On average, an adult catches a cold about two times a year. Unfortunately, children on average catch a cold much more frequently than that--sometimes as many as 8 to 10 times a year. There are a number of different viruses that are known to cause the common cold. The Rhinovirus ("rhin" means "nose" in Greek) is the most common.

Theories/Speculation

The myth is still believed that the common cold is caught via exposure to cold weather. Although colds occur more often in winter months, it is people spending more time indoors in closed quarters that is thought to be the cause of increased colds during these months.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of the common cold are a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, a sore throat and coughing. Less common symptoms include fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, headache, loss of appetite, and sometimes pinkeye. The symptoms of the common cold differ from those from influenza (otherwise known as the flu), which is often accompanied by fever, chills, extreme weakness, exhaustion and severe muscle aches.

Time Frame

A week to 10 days is the usual length of time that the symptoms of the common cold are present. If you are really unlucky, your cold symptoms can extend up to a couple of weeks.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the common cold is to wash your hands frequently with hot soapy water. (A good rule of thumb is to silently sing the "Happy Birthday" song while washing your hands.) Although not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Vitamin C, echinacea and zinc have been reported by some to prevent and reduce the severity and length of the common cold. Since the common cold is a virus, antibiotics do not work in its prevention or treatment.

Solution

If you have been stricken with the common cold, over-the-counter medications like aspirin, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants and antihistamines can help relieve some of the discomfort. It is important to keep yourself hydrated when you have a cold by drinking plenty of fluids. Drinking hot chicken soup and tea soothes a sore throat. The steam from these hot drinks also helps open up the nasal passages. A vaporizer can be used to place warm moisture in the air. Hot showers and warm baths also help relieve muscle aches and open up the nasal passages. Of course, plenty of rest is needed to strengthen your immune system and fight your cold. Alternative methods of treating the common cold include aromatherapy, herbal therapies and ginger.

Warning

The incubation period for colds is 2 to 4 days. That is when you are most contagious and most likely to give your cold to your friends, family and even enemies. The common cold is usually self-limiting and mild. However, in certain cases, the common cold can lead to other conditions, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, croup, strep throat, Laryngitis and even pneumonia. At times, some of these complications can become bacterial, such as in acute bacterial sinusitis. If that becomes the case, antibiotics are generally prescribed. The common cold can be more severe in people who have COPD, emphysema or asthma.

Resources

• Common cold information
• Understanding the common cold
• Mayo Clinic on the common cold