Common cold facts:
- The common cold is caused by many different viruses.
- The common cold is transmitted by infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions.
- Being in cold weather does not cause the common cold.
- Symptoms of the common cold include
- cough,
- sore throat,
- sneezing, and a
- runny nose.
4. Over-the-counter medications may be used for treatment of the common cold.
5. Antibiotics are not necessary for the common cold.
6. The common cold is a self-limited condition and can generally be managed at home.
5. Antibiotics are not necessary for the common cold.
6. The common cold is a self-limited condition and can generally be managed at home.
What is the common cold, and what causes it?
The common cold is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. The common cold is medically referred to as a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms of the common cold may include cough, sore throat, watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold, with rhinovirus causing approximately 10%-40% of all adult colds. Other commonly implicated viruses include coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. Because so many different viruses can cause the common cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have six to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold occurs most frequently during the winter and spring.
The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. It is estimated that individuals in the United States suffer 1 billion colds per year, with approximately 22 million days of school absences recorded annually. In the United States, the common cold is thought to account for approximately 75-100 million physician visits annually, with an economic impact of greater than $20 billion per year due to cold-related work loss.
The common cold is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. The common cold is medically referred to as a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms of the common cold may include cough, sore throat, watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold, with rhinovirus causing approximately 10%-40% of all adult colds. Other commonly implicated viruses include coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. Because so many different viruses can cause the common cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have six to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold occurs most frequently during the winter and spring.
The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. It is estimated that individuals in the United States suffer 1 billion colds per year, with approximately 22 million days of school absences recorded annually. In the United States, the common cold is thought to account for approximately 75-100 million physician visits annually, with an economic impact of greater than $20 billion per year due to cold-related work loss.
How is the common cold transmitted?
The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the airborne virus after individuals sneeze or cough. Person-to-person transmission often occurs when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can subsequently become infected, often after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes, nose, or mouth. A cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects
The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the airborne virus after individuals sneeze or cough. Person-to-person transmission often occurs when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can subsequently become infected, often after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes, nose, or mouth. A cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects
What are risk factors for acquiring the common cold?
There are various factors that may increase the chances of acquiring the common cold, including the following:
There are various factors that may increase the chances of acquiring the common cold, including the following:
- Age: Infants and young children are more likely to develop the common cold because they have not yet developed immunity to many of the implicated viruses.
- Seasonal variation: Individuals more commonly acquire the common cold during the winter, or during the rainy season (in warmer climates). This is felt to occur because people tend to stay indoors and are in closer proximity to one another.
- Weakened immune system: Individuals with a poorly functioning immune system are more likely to develop the common cold. Also, individuals with excessive fatigue or emotional distress may be more susceptible to catching the common cold.
What are the symptoms and signs of the common cold in adults, children, and infants? What is the incubation period of the common cold?
The symptoms of the common cold typically begin two to three days after acquiring the infection (incubation period), though this may vary depending on the type of virus causing the infection. Individuals also tend to be most contagious during the first two to three days of having symptoms. Symptoms and signs of the common cold may also vary depending on the virus responsible for the infection and may include:
The symptoms of the common cold typically begin two to three days after acquiring the infection (incubation period), though this may vary depending on the type of virus causing the infection. Individuals also tend to be most contagious during the first two to three days of having symptoms. Symptoms and signs of the common cold may also vary depending on the virus responsible for the infection and may include:
- nasal stuffiness or drainage,
- sore or scratchy throat,
- sneezing,
- hoarseness,
- cough,
- watery eyes,
- low-grade fever,
- headache,
- earache,
- body aches,
- loss of appetite, and
- fatigue.
The signs and symptoms of the common cold in infants and children are similar to those seen in adults. The cold may begin with a runny nose with clear nasal discharge, which later may become yellowish or greenish in color. Infants and children may also become more fussy and have decreased appetite.
Does it have anything to do with exposure to cold weather?
Though the common cold usually occurs in the winter months, the cold weather itself does not cause the common cold. Rather, it is thought that during cold-weather months, people spend more time indoors in close proximity to each other, thus facilitating the spread of the virus. For this same reason, children in day care and school are particularly prone to acquiring the common cold. The low humidity during these colder months is also felt to contribute to the increased prevalence of the common cold, as many of the implicated viruses seem to survive better in low-humidity conditions.
Though the common cold usually occurs in the winter months, the cold weather itself does not cause the common cold. Rather, it is thought that during cold-weather months, people spend more time indoors in close proximity to each other, thus facilitating the spread of the virus. For this same reason, children in day care and school are particularly prone to acquiring the common cold. The low humidity during these colder months is also felt to contribute to the increased prevalence of the common cold, as many of the implicated viruses seem to survive better in low-humidity conditions.
Common cold vs. flu (influenza)
Many people confuse the common cold with influenza (the flu). Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, while the common cold generally is not. While some of the symptoms of the common cold and influenza may be similar, patients with the common cold typically have a milder illness. Patients with influenza usually appear more ill and have a more abrupt onset of illness with fever, chills, headache, substantial muscle and body aches, dry cough, and extreme weakness.
Though differentiating between the common cold and influenza can be difficult, there is laboratory testing available to confirm the diagnoses of influenza.
Many people confuse the common cold with influenza (the flu). Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, while the common cold generally is not. While some of the symptoms of the common cold and influenza may be similar, patients with the common cold typically have a milder illness. Patients with influenza usually appear more ill and have a more abrupt onset of illness with fever, chills, headache, substantial muscle and body aches, dry cough, and extreme weakness.
Though differentiating between the common cold and influenza can be difficult, there is laboratory testing available to confirm the diagnoses of influenza.
What types of doctors treat the common cold?
The common cold is most often diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner, including family medicine physicians, internists, and pediatricians. If you visit an emergency department, you will likely be treated by an emergency-medicine physician.
The common cold is most often diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner, including family medicine physicians, internists, and pediatricians. If you visit an emergency department, you will likely be treated by an emergency-medicine physician.
How do physicians diagnose the common cold?A physician or health-care professional will generally diagnose the common cold based on the description of the symptoms and the findings during the physical exam. Laboratory testing and imaging studies are generally not necessary unless there are concerns about another underlying medical condition, a bacterial illness, or potential complications of the common cold.
What is the treatment for the common cold? Are there any home remedies for the common cold?
There is no cure for the common cold. The common cold is a self-limited illness that will resolve spontaneously with time and expectant management. Home remedies and treatments are directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold while the body fights off the infection.
Home treatment for the common cold includes getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids. In older children and adults, over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may help relieve symptoms, though they will not prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold. Gargling with warm saltwater may help those with a sore throat. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms, while saline nasal sprays may also be beneficial. It is important to note that over-the-counter medications may cause undesirable side effects, therefore they must be taken with care as directed. Pregnant women should discuss the safety of over-the-counter medications with their pharmacist or health-care professional.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are over-the-counter analgesics that can help with fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches.
The treatment for infants and small children with the common cold is supportive as well. It is especially important to allow rest and encourage plenty of fluids in order to prevent dehydration. Nasal drops and bulb suctioning may be used to clear nasal mucus in infants. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be taken for pain or fever based on the package recommendations for age and weight. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing medications in children or teenagers because it has been associated with a rare, potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome. Finally, over-the-counter cough and cold medications for infants and young children are not recommended. Medication manufacturers now recommend that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be used in children younger than 4 years of age because of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
Alternative treatments to prevent or treat the common cold, such as vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea, have had mixed results in studies evaluating their effectiveness. Therefore, discuss these treatment options with a health-care professional.
There is no cure for the common cold. The common cold is a self-limited illness that will resolve spontaneously with time and expectant management. Home remedies and treatments are directed at alleviating the symptoms associated with the common cold while the body fights off the infection.
Home treatment for the common cold includes getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids. In older children and adults, over-the-counter medications such as throat lozenges, throat sprays, cough drops, and cough syrups may help relieve symptoms, though they will not prevent or shorten the duration of the common cold. Gargling with warm saltwater may help those with a sore throat. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or antihistamines may be used for nasal symptoms, while saline nasal sprays may also be beneficial. It is important to note that over-the-counter medications may cause undesirable side effects, therefore they must be taken with care as directed. Pregnant women should discuss the safety of over-the-counter medications with their pharmacist or health-care professional.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are over-the-counter analgesics that can help with fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches.
The treatment for infants and small children with the common cold is supportive as well. It is especially important to allow rest and encourage plenty of fluids in order to prevent dehydration. Nasal drops and bulb suctioning may be used to clear nasal mucus in infants. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be taken for pain or fever based on the package recommendations for age and weight. Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing medications in children or teenagers because it has been associated with a rare, potentially fatal condition called Reye's syndrome. Finally, over-the-counter cough and cold medications for infants and young children are not recommended. Medication manufacturers now recommend that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be used in children younger than 4 years of age because of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
Alternative treatments to prevent or treat the common cold, such as vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea, have had mixed results in studies evaluating their effectiveness. Therefore, discuss these treatment options with a health-care professional.
Are antibiotics a suitable treatment for the common cold?
No. Antibiotics play no role in treating the common cold. Antibiotics are effective only against illnesses caused by bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses. Not only do antibiotics not help, but they can rarely also cause severe allergic reactions that can sometimes be fatal. Furthermore, using antibiotics when they are not necessary has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics. For these and other reasons, it is important to limit the use of antibiotics to situations in which they are medically indicated.
Occasionally, a bacterial infection such as sinusitis or a middle ear infection can develop following the common cold, however, the decision to treat with antibiotics should be determined by a physician or health-care professional after a medical evaluation.
No. Antibiotics play no role in treating the common cold. Antibiotics are effective only against illnesses caused by bacteria, and colds are caused by viruses. Not only do antibiotics not help, but they can rarely also cause severe allergic reactions that can sometimes be fatal. Furthermore, using antibiotics when they are not necessary has led to the growth of several strains of common bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics. For these and other reasons, it is important to limit the use of antibiotics to situations in which they are medically indicated.
Occasionally, a bacterial infection such as sinusitis or a middle ear infection can develop following the common cold, however, the decision to treat with antibiotics should be determined by a physician or health-care professional after a medical evaluation.
When should someone consult a health-care professional?
Generally, the common cold can be treated at home and managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if more severe symptoms develop, such as shaking chills, high fever (greater than 102 F), severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or failure to improve after 10 days, consult a health-care professional immediately. Infants 3 months of age or younger who develop a cold or fever should consult a health-care professional as well.
If a sore throat and a fever are present with no other cold symptoms, the individual should also be evaluated by a health-care professional. This illness may be strep throat, a bacterial infection requiring treatment with antibiotics.
Finally, if there is facial pain, redness, or swelling associated with yellow/green drainage from the nose accompanied by a fever, it is possible that the individual has a sinus infection (sinusitis) that would benefit from a medical evaluation and a possible course of antibiotics.
Generally, the common cold can be treated at home and managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if more severe symptoms develop, such as shaking chills, high fever (greater than 102 F), severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or failure to improve after 10 days, consult a health-care professional immediately. Infants 3 months of age or younger who develop a cold or fever should consult a health-care professional as well.
If a sore throat and a fever are present with no other cold symptoms, the individual should also be evaluated by a health-care professional. This illness may be strep throat, a bacterial infection requiring treatment with antibiotics.
Finally, if there is facial pain, redness, or swelling associated with yellow/green drainage from the nose accompanied by a fever, it is possible that the individual has a sinus infection (sinusitis) that would benefit from a medical evaluation and a possible course of antibiotics.
What is the prognosis for the common cold? What is the duration of the common cold?
Generally, the prognosis for the common cold is excellent. The common cold needs to run its natural course, and most individuals with the common cold will recover within seven to 10 days. However, certain viruses may take up to three weeks to completely resolve.
Generally, the prognosis for the common cold is excellent. The common cold needs to run its natural course, and most individuals with the common cold will recover within seven to 10 days. However, certain viruses may take up to three weeks to completely resolve.
What are complications of the common cold?
Complications that may arise from the common cold include the development of a middle ear infection (otitis media) or sinusitis. In individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the common cold can sometimes trigger an exacerbation of their illness, leading to shortness of breath and increased wheezing. Though uncommon, pneumonia can sometimes develop as a secondary infection in individuals with the common cold. An evaluation by a health-care professional should be undertaken if any of these complications are suspected.
Complications that may arise from the common cold include the development of a middle ear infection (otitis media) or sinusitis. In individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the common cold can sometimes trigger an exacerbation of their illness, leading to shortness of breath and increased wheezing. Though uncommon, pneumonia can sometimes develop as a secondary infection in individuals with the common cold. An evaluation by a health-care professional should be undertaken if any of these complications are suspected.
Is it possible to prevent the common cold?
The most important measure to prevent the common cold is to avoid contact with infected individuals. Other measures to help prevent the common cold include the following:
The most important measure to prevent the common cold is to avoid contact with infected individuals. Other measures to help prevent the common cold include the following:
- Frequent and thorough hand washing is extremely important, as this can destroy viruses acquired from touching contaminated surfaces.
- Disinfect potentially infected surfaces or personal objects, and do not share personal belongings such as towels, handkerchiefs, or tissues.
- Avoid sharing utensils and try to use disposable items (such as disposable cups) if someone in the family has a cold.
- Encourage individuals to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent transmission of the virus.
- Lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation and stress management may decrease susceptibility to acquiring the common cold.
Currently, there is no effective vaccine against the common cold.