Common Cold

Acute viral nasopharyngitis usually known as the common cold, is a mild viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system ( nose and throat ). If you have a cold and you sneeze cough or speak, tiny droplets of fluid containing the cold virus are darted into the air. Caused by a virus which inflames the membranes in the lining of the nose and throat, colds can be the consequent of more than 200 various viruses. Due to the great number of viruses that can cause a cold, the body never generates up resistance against all of them.

Children and their parents or caretakers are at a higher risk, likely because of the high population density of schools and the fact that conveyanssion to family members is highly efficient. It is variant from influenza, a more severe viral infection of the respiratory tract that shows the additional symptoms of rapidly rising fever, chills, and body and muscle aches.

In fact, on average, pre-school children have 9 colds a year; those in kindergarten, 12 colds a year; and adolescents and adults, 7 colds per year. The good news is that you or your child should be feeling good in about a week or so. If signs of a common cold aren't improving in that time, see your doctor to make sure you don't have a bacterial infection in your lungs, sinuses or ears.

Children, particularly pre-schoolers, may have a common cold as many as eight to 10 times annually. There are more than one hundred forms of rhinoviruses. A cold may remain for about one week, but some colds last longer, especially in children, aged people, and those in poor health. Colds typically last three to five days, with leftover coughing lasting up to three weeks. Beginning in late August or early September, the rate of colds increases slowly for a few weeks and remains high till March or April, when it nosedives.

With kids getting as many as eight colds per year or more, this infectious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract is the most common contagious disease in the United States and the number-one reason children visit the doctor and stay home from school. This is due to fact that adults have built up immunity against some of the viruses that cause colds. On mediocre, adults have between two and four colds a year, while children may have as many as eight or ten.

Causes of Common Cold

The common Causes of Common Cold :

• Sneezing (from the irritation in the nose).
• Swelling of the lining of the nose (making it hard to breath and congestion).
• An increase in mucus production (a runny nose).
• Cough (from the increased mucus dripping down the throat).

Symptoms of Common Cold

Some Symptoms of Common Cold :

• Stuffy, runny nose.
• Mild fatigue .
• Low-grade fever .
• Mild hacking cough.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy or sore throat.
• Headache.
• Congestion.
• Low fever less than 102 F.

Treatment of Common Cold

• Lots of rest and drinking sufficient amounts of fluid are both very important in treating a cold.
• Analgesics (pain relievers) help relieve body aches, sore throat and reduce fever.
• Nasal decongestants help ease nasal stuffiness. (Specific products may be recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
• Raising the head of your bed a bit by placing a pillow under the mattress can help reduce coughing at night.
• Over-the-counter cold medications, such as decongestants and cough medicine
• Antihistamines may have some effect in relieving a runny nose and watery eyes.
• Try to rest and avoid strenuous activity,
• Antibiotics will not cure or prevent a cold nor will antibiotics help treat the symptoms of a cold.