The common cold is a viral respiratory illness that causes fatigue and other symptoms that affect daily life. The common cold is often found in people with weakened immune systems such as people with chronic illnesses, the elderly or children.

General information about colds

What is a cold?

A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (including: nose, throat, sinuses, pharynx, larynx). When the weather changes or when resistance is reduced, it creates an opportunity for many types of viruses to attack the body, causing colds. According to statistics, healthy adults can catch a cold two or three times a year, while children and the elderly with weaker resistance can catch a cold more often.

Most people recover from a cold within a week or 10 days. Patients should not be subjective because if not treated properly, it can lead to dangerous complications. You should see a doctor when symptoms become severe or persist without improvement.

Cold temperatures cause the amount of anti-virus and anti-bacterial cells in the nose to decrease.

Cold Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of a Cold

Cold symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to the cold virus and may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing.
• Sore or itchy throat.
• Cough.
• Mild body aches or mild headache.
• Low fever.

The discharge from your nose may start out clear and become thicker and yellow or green when the common cold is present. This does not usually mean that you have a bacterial infection.

Complications that can occur when you have a cold

The common cold usually goes away on its own after a few days, but if not treated properly, it can lead to the following complications:

• Acute ear infection (otitis media): When a virus enters the space behind the eardrum in the middle ear, there is a risk of acute ear infection. Typical signs and symptoms include earache or fever returning after the common cold.
• Asthma: Colds cause airways to become blocked, making it difficult to breathe and wheeze, even if you don’t have asthma. If you have asthma, colds can make it worse.
• Acute sinusitis: In adults or children, a common cold that doesn’t go away can lead to swelling, pain (inflammation), and infection of the sinuses.
• Other infections: The common cold can lead to other infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, and croup or bronchiolitis in children. These infections need to be treated by a doctor.

When to see a doctor?

For a common cold, you may not need to seek medical help. However, if your symptoms do not improve or get worse, you should see a doctor.

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, respiratory distress.
• Dehydration or prolonged lack of fluids.
• Fever lasting more than 4 days.
• Cold symptoms last longer than 10 days without improvement.
• Symptoms, such as fever or cough, improve but then return or get worse.

Causes of colds

Causes of colds

There are many types of viruses that can cause colds, but the most common viruses are Rhinovirus or Enterovirus. Cold viruses usually attack the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. When you come into contact with someone with a cold or share objects with someone with a cold, you can increase your risk of getting sick. In addition, when you talk at close range or when you sneeze, have a runny nose, or cough, droplets can spread through the air, increasing your risk of getting a cold.

Risk of colds

Who is at risk of getting a cold?

Everyone is at risk of getting a cold. However, the following groups are at higher risk of getting a cold:

• Children under 6 years old are at higher risk of getting a cold because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
• People with compromised immune systems, especially those with chronic illnesses or who have recently been sick, are more likely to get a cold virus.
• People who smoke are at higher risk of catching a cold, and their colds tend to be more severe.

Factors that increase your risk of catching a cold

Several factors increase your risk of catching a cold, including:

• Age: Babies and young children are at highest risk of catching a cold, especially if they spend a lot of time in child care facilities.
• Weakened immune system: Having a chronic illness or a weakened immune system increases your risk.
• Time of year: Both children and adults are more likely to catch a cold in the fall and winter, but you can catch a cold at any time.
• Smoking: You are more likely to catch a cold and have a more severe cold if you smoke or are around people who smoke.
• Exposure: If you are around crowds, such as at school or on an airplane, you are more likely to be exposed to cold viruses.

Cold Diagnosis & Treatment

Cold Testing and Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an uncomplicated cold rarely requires a visit to the doctor. Recognizing the symptoms of a cold is usually all you need to figure out what’s wrong with you.

Of course, if your symptoms become severe or last longer than 10 days, make an appointment with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis of your condition. If your doctor diagnoses you with a cold, you may just need to treat your symptoms until the virus stops developing. But if you notice your symptoms getting worse after the 5th day or if you don’t start to feel better after a week, you should contact your doctor because you may have another illness.

Effective Cold Treatments

Colds are fairly simple to treat, there is no specific medicine, mainly treating to improve the symptoms of the disease. The most common OTC medications your doctor may prescribe for a cold include:

• Decongestants: Decongestants help relieve nasal congestion and open up your airways.
• Antihistamines: Antihistamines help prevent sneezing and also relieve runny nose symptoms.
• Pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin can help relieve body aches, inflammation, and fever symptoms.

Lifestyle & Cold Prevention

Lifestyle Habits That Can Help You Slow Down Your Cold

Lifestyle:

• Gargle with salt water: Gargling with salt water can help coat your throat and reduce irritation.
• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps you replace the fluids you’ve lost and helps relieve congestion.
• Herbal steam inhalation helps clear your airways and relieve congestion.
• Get plenty of rest: Getting plenty of rest will help your body conserve energy and recover quickly.

Diet:

• Chicken soup is especially good for colds: Warm liquids are great for helping open up your sinuses so you can breathe easier, and the salt from the soup can soothe irritated throat tissues.
• Hot tea or warm water is great for colds: You can add a little honey or a few slices of ginger to soothe your throat and reduce congestion.
• Yogurt contains billions of beneficial bacteria for the intestinal microflora, which helps strengthen the body’s immune system, thereby helping to prevent colds better.

Effective cold prevention methods

To effectively prevent colds, you can refer to some of the suggestions below:

• Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Disinfect your belongings: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics, kitchen and bathroom countertops daily. This is especially important when someone in your family has a cold.
• When you cough or sneeze, you need to use a tissue or cover your mouth. Throw the used tissue away immediately, then wash your hands thoroughly. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow and then wash your hands.
• Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or label your cup or glass with the name of the person using it.
• Limit close contact with anyone who has a cold and stay away from crowds as much as possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with sick people.
• Take care of yourself: Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep are good for your overall health.