COMMON COLD

Common cold is a viral upper respiratory tract infection (VURI).It is a contagious illness which can be caused by a number of different viruses. It is most commonly caused by rhinovirus (30-50%), type of picorna virus with 99 known serotypes. Others that cause common cold are corona virus (10-15%), influenza (5-15%), human parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, entero viruses & meta pnuemo virus.

Since there are so many different kinds of virus, our body cannot build up resistance against all of them. That’s the reason why colds are frequent and recurring .this is the reason why common cold is the illness which is the most frequently occurring illness in the world.

Signs and Symptoms of common cold

· Cough

· Nasal stiffness

· Scratchy throat

· Runny nose

· Shivering

· Fatigue

· Muscle aches

· Fever

· Headache

· Loss of appetite

The common cold resolves within 7 to 10 days, but some symptoms could last for up to 3 weeks.

How does the common cold spread?

Common cold is a droplet –borne infection. It means that it is spread or transmitted through the breathing in tiny particles that an infected person emits when he/she sneezes, coughs or exhales. In simple terms, if a person touches his/her nose and then touches someone else, that person could subsequently get infected with the virus. The cold virus can live on objects like books telephones, pens, computer keyboards, and cups for several hours and therefore be acquired from contact with these objects.

The common cold virus is transmitted mainly from contact with the saliva or nasal secretions of that of an infected person either directly, when a healthy person breathes in the virus laden air generated when a infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose and eyes.

Don’t confuse common cold with influenza

The causative agent of influenza is the influenza virus, while in common cold generally is not. The symptoms of common cold and influenza are more or less similar but that of common cold are milder. Patients with influenza are usually sicker than that of common cold and the onset of illness in influenza is more abrupt, with fever, headache, bodyahe, chills, dry cough &extreme weakness.

Treatment for Common Cold.

Currently there is no treatment available for common cold. Treatment is symptomatic, like analgesics for fever, headaches & sore throat.

The OTC(over the counter)medication like throat sprays, cough drops, cough syrups, throat lozenges may help bring relief. Decongestants or Anti histamines can be used for nasal problems.

Analgesics & Anti pyretics such a ibuprofen, paracetamol can be used. Gargling with salt water, taking rest, drinking a lot of water to keep the body hydrated are conservative measures to be taken in case of common cold.

Is there any role of antibiotics in treatment of common cold?

No, Antibiotics do not play any role in treating common cold. They are not effective against the viruses that cause the common cold. Instead, the antibiotics can cause allergic reactions that can b fatal. Such cases treatment with antibiotics should be left at the decision of your doctor.

How to prevent common cold?

· Washing your hands frequently destroys the viruses that one has acquired from touching infected or contaminated surfaces.

· Stay away from the infected people, since most infections are acquired by inhaling virus laden air of the infected person who has coughed,sneezed,or breathed out.

· Use alcohol based hand sanitizers at schools, work places and homes, as it reduces the number of viruses on the skin.