The Common Cold

What is the Common Cold?

The common cold is a contagious viral disease that infects the mucous membrane of the nose. There are more than 100 different viruses that can result in a cold, making it very difficult to find a cure. The common cold is most common during the cold winter months and affects individuals regardless of age. Most people catch a cold approximately 2 – 4 times per year.

The common cold is typically a mild infection and most individuals are able to recover in about a week without any intervention. However, sometimes the symptoms mimic other illnesses, such as influenza, and may require different treatment.

How are Colds Spread?

It is common knowledge that colds are contagious and quite easy to catch. Part of this is due to the length of time a person is contagious. An individual is contagious one day before the illness breaks out (before they even realize they’re sick) until one to three days after they feel better (people often think that the virus is gone, when in fact it is still being spread). The second stage is often when the cold virus is spread.

The first way cold infections are spread is by airborne droplets that are released whenever the sufferer coughs or sneezes. If another individual is nearby, the germs quickly travel to the that person, resulting in a new infection. A second and more common way germs are spread is when they are transferred to the sufferer’s hands when they cover their mouth and cough or sneeze and then touch other items around them. These germs are spread further when others touch the infected item, spreading the virus to their hands and then putting them close to their nose or mouth. When children have colds, they often are negligent about washing their hands after coughing or sneezing allowing the germs to spread quickly to others around them.

Symptoms of the Common Cold

There are many symptoms related to the common cold. The number of symptoms experienced and their severity will vary greatly with each cold. Some common symptoms that may be present are:

• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose (mucus gradually becomes thicker and more yellow)
• Swelling of mucus membrane
• Headache
• Coughing
• Feeling ill
• High temperature (this is more common in children)

How to Treat the Common Cold

Because of the large number of cold viruses, there is currently no cure for the common cold. If an individual has no other diseases, and the cold goes away in a week or two, there is usually no reason to see a doctor. Since the cold is caused by a virus rather than bacteria, antibiotics are not necessary.

There are many types of children’s cold medicines that are targeted to relieve the symptoms associated with the common cold, with varying results. Make sure you are informed of the dangers of these medicines before giving any of them to your child. For smaller children, no cold medicine is recommended, but parents have an option of natural remedies to help ease the discomfort from their child’s cold.