About Common Cold

Common cold is a very common illness. No body is spared by this illness. So today, we'll understand about Common cold.

In medicine, common cold is defined as a contagious viral infection of upper respiratory tract. It is the most common of all Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Upper respiratory tract includes upper parts of respiratory system i.e. nose (nostrils and nasal chamber), mouth (buccal cavity), throat (pharynx) and sound box (larynx). However, Common cold mostly affects nose. It affects people of all ages, worldwide.

Cause of Common Cold

Common cold is caused by many different viruses, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Human Coronavirus, Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza virus, Enterovirus to name a few. Out of these, Rhinovirus is the most common cause. These viruses spread by airborne droplets or by direct contact with contaminated substances. People in proximity to an infected person are at greater risk of being infected.

Symptoms of Common Cold

Symptoms of common cold include

• Cough
• Runny nose or nasal congestion and
• Sore throat. 

 Other symptoms that may not be necessarily seen are :

• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscular pain
• Malaise 
• Loss of appetite. 

Initially, symptoms may only be feeling of being chilled, sneezing, headache and fatigue. Other symptoms arise slowly as the time progresses. All symptoms are at peak after two to four days of onset. Symptoms involved appear due to immune response offered to entry of virus.

Cure of Common Cold

Inspite of advancement in medical science for curing many of lethal diseases, there is no medication available that can shorten the term of disease. However, there are some reasonable conservative methods that can relieve some of the symptoms. The best thing is that, all the symptoms start resolving on their own from the seventh day of infection. But in some cases, this may take upto 3 weeks. The treatment prescribed by the doctor can help relieve the symptoms of common cold.

How can Common Cold be prevented?

Basic hygiene can help prevent common cold. Wash hands with soap and water is the good practice to prevent spread of common cold. Mechanical action of rubbing kills viruses prevent in hand.

As we all know, common cold is not a very serious issue. It is often seen as a symptom of various other serious medical conditions. So, it must not be neglected. Common cold, if lasts for a long time, or symptoms are very severe or associated with other symptoms, or is very frequent, then consult a doctor and seek immediate medical help.