Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold, with rhinoviruses being the most common.

Children younger than 6 are at greatest risk of colds, but healthy adults can also expect to have two or three colds annually. Most people recover from a common cold in a week or 10 days. Symptoms might last longer in people who smoke.

The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses, and while it's usually mild, it can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities. The good news is that most colds can be managed at home with self-care measures.

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person, might include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Slight body aches or a mild headache
• Low-grade fever
• Generally feeling unwell (malaise)

The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course. This doesn't usually mean you have a bacterial infection.

Seek emergency care for:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe throat pain
• High fever (above 39°C/102°F)
• Severe headache with stiff neck
• Signs of dehydration

• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• Symptoms that are severe or unusual
• Fever higher than 38.5°C (101.3°F) that lasts more than 3 days
• Fever that returns after a fever-free period
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Severe sinus pain
• Ear pain
• Worsening symptoms after initial improvement

Most colds can be managed at home with self-care:

1. Rest:

   • Get plenty of sleep
   • Take it easy and reduce activities
   • Stay home from work or school if possible

2. Stay Hydrated:

   • Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, clear broth)
   • Warm liquids like tea with honey can soothe throat
   • Avoid alcohol and caffeine (can cause dehydration)

3. Relieve Sore Throat:

   • Gargle with warm salt water
   • Use throat lozenges
   • Drink warm liquids
   • Use a humidifier

4. Combat Stuffy Nose:

   • Use saline nasal drops or spray
   • Try a nasal decongestant (use as directed, not more than 3 days)
   • Use a humidifier or steam
   • Take warm showers

5. Relieve Pain and Fever:

   • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (follow package directions)
   • Aspirin only for adults (never for children)
   • Check with doctor before giving medications to children

6. Cough Relief:

   • Honey (for adults and children over 1 year)
   • Cough drops or lozenges
   • Stay hydrated
   • Use a humidifier

7. Comfort Measures:

   • Use a humidifier in your room
   • Take warm baths
   • Get plenty of rest

• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• High fever (above 38.5°C/101.3°F)
• Severe or unusual symptoms
• Symptoms that worsen after initial improvement
• Underlying health conditions (asthma, heart disease, diabetes)
• Weakened immune system

• Mild to moderate symptoms
• Symptoms improving after a few days
• No high fever
• Able to stay hydrated
• Symptoms typical of a common cold

Usually, no tests are needed for a common cold. Diagnosis is based on:

1. Symptoms: Typical cold symptoms

2. Physical Examination: If you see a doctor, they may check:

   • Ears, nose, and throat
   • Listen to your breathing
   • Check for signs of complications

3. Tests (rarely needed):

   • Throat swab (if strep throat is suspected)
   • Chest X-ray (if pneumonia is suspected)
   • Blood tests (usually not needed)

Most colds are diagnosed based on symptoms alone.

There's no cure for the common cold, but treatment focuses on relieving symptoms:

1. Over-the-Counter Medications:

   • Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
   • Decongestants (for stuffy nose)
   • Cough suppressants or expectorants
   • Antihistamines (may help with runny nose and sneezing)

2. Home Remedies:

   • Rest and fluids
   • Warm salt water gargle
   • Honey (for cough, children over 1 year)
   • Humidifier or steam

3. What NOT to Use:

   • Antibiotics: Don't work against viruses
   • Antibiotics for prevention: Not recommended
   • Multiple medications: Avoid taking multiple products with same ingredients

Important: Always read medication labels carefully and follow directions. Check with a doctor before giving medications to children.

You can reduce your risk of getting a cold:

1. Hand Hygiene:

   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water
   • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap unavailable
   • Wash for at least 20 seconds

2. Avoid Close Contact:

   • Stay away from people who are sick
   • Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth
   • Stay home when you're sick

3. Clean Surfaces:

   • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
   • Clean shared items (phones, keyboards, doorknobs)

4. Boost Immune System:

   • Get adequate sleep
   • Eat a healthy diet
   • Exercise regularly
   • Manage stress

5. Other Strategies:

   • Don't share personal items (towels, utensils)
   • Use tissues when sneezing or coughing
   • Consider vitamin C or zinc (evidence is mixed)

When you catch a cold:

1. Virus Entry: Virus enters through nose, mouth, or eyes
2. Infection: Virus attaches to cells in upper respiratory tract
3. Immune Response: Body's immune system responds
4. Symptoms: Inflammation and increased mucus production cause symptoms
5. Recovery: Immune system clears the virus, usually within 7-10 days

The immune response, while fighting the virus, also causes the symptoms you experience.

• More frequent colds (6-10 per year)
• May have higher fevers
• May need more rest
• Watch for signs of complications
• Never give aspirin to children

• May take longer to recover
• Higher risk of complications
• May need to be more careful with medications
• Should monitor for signs of pneumonia

• Generally safe to treat at home
• Check with doctor before taking medications
• Some medications should be avoided during pregnancy
• Stay well-hydrated and get plenty of rest

Most colds last 7-10 days. Some symptoms like a cough may last longer (up to 2-3 weeks).

No. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses. Colds are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won't help and may cause side effects.

Yes, if possible. Staying home helps prevent spreading the cold to others and allows you to rest and recover faster.

While you can't completely prevent colds, good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk.

You're most contagious in the first 2-3 days of symptoms, but you can spread the virus for up to 2 weeks.