Common Cold - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

One important reason why colds are so common in children is because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools . The common cold belongs to the upper respiratory tract infections . It is different from influenza , a more severe viral infection of the respiratory tract that shows the additional symptoms of rapidly rising fever , chills , and body and muscle aches . common cold is not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, common cold is watery eyes, sneezing and congestion. it is the most common of all human diseases , infecting subjects at an average rate of slightly over one infection per year per person .common cold is the most common illnesses and leading to more doctor visits.In common cold dieses reasaon is virus that inflames the membranes in the lining of the nose and throat, colds can be the result of more than 200 different viruses. However, among all of the cold viruses, the rhinoviruses and the coronaviruses cause the majority of colds. The common cold remains a nuisance, still without any established effective or cure.

The primary family of viruses that cause common colds in adults are the rhinoviruses. The common cold, also known as a viral upper is a contagious illness colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, on average, preschool children have 9 colds a year; those in kindergarten, 12 colds a year; and adolescents and adults, 7 colds per year. The increased incidence of colds during the cold season may be attributed to the fact that more people are indoors and close to each other.common cold two to four times a year. The good news is that you or your child should be feeling better in about a week or so. A cold is a virus-caused catarrhal respiratory tract infection which can affect any of all airways, including nose, throat, larynx, and often the windpipe and bronchial tubes. Any of multitudinous viruses can cause a cold. There are, for example, more than 95 types of just one family of viruses (rhinovirus), which may be involved. This is apparently the reason why colds can occur so often, why ycu develop no natural immunity, and why vaccination or immunization continues to be impractical.

Causes of common cold

There are many causes and factor of the common cold some are

• The viruses:- the rhinoviruses, seldom produce serious illnesses and other parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus, produce mild infections in adults but can precipitate severe lower respiratory infections in young children.. The causes of 30 to 50 percent of adult colds, presumed to be viral, remain unidentified
• The wether: get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated.
• other factor some like related to exercise, diet, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. On the other hand, research suggests that psychological stress and allergic diseases affecting your nose or throat may have an impact on your chances of getting infected by cold viruses.
• Triggering an immune system reaction that can make your child's throat sore, his or her head ache, and can make it hard for your child to breathe through the nose.
• common colds can being a smoker or being around someone who's smoking . People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold than people who don't - and their symptoms will probably be worse, last longer, and are more likely to lead to bronchitis or even pneumonia .

Symptoms of common cold

Onset of a cold is usually abrupt, after an incubation period of 18 to 48 hours. Often, first indications are a scratchy throat sensation, followed by sneezing, copious running of the nose, and some degree of malaise (that "blah" feeling). Typically, there is n0 fever although in babies and small children. a temperature of 100° to 102°F is common. Cough and headache may be present. Later the nose becomes stuffed and the voice may become weak and husky. Symptoms of the common cold are :

• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Colds occasionally can lead to bacterial infections of your middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics.
• The symptoms of a cold are often a tickle in the throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing.
• Sore throat, cough , headache, mild fever , fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.
• Many people with a cold feel tired and achy.
• laryngitis
• tracheitis
• symptoms that may occur later include , stuffy nose, watering eyes, hacking , chills, and general malaise
• watery discharge from nose that thickens and turns yellow or green .

Treatment of the common cold

There is no medication available to cure or shorten the duration of the common cold so some treatment of the common cold are available, some are :

• rest
• increased fluid intake
• pain relievers for headache or fever
• warm, salt water gargling for sore throat
• petroleum jelly for raw, chapped skin around the nose and lips
• treatment with antibiotics
• washing hands properly and frequently
• covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
• not pick up other people's used tissues
• The best way to avoid a cold is to avoid close contact with existing sufferers, to wash hands thoroughly and regularly, and to avoid touching the face
• Pharmaceuticals
• Vitamin C
• Zinc -containing preparations have been claimed to be effective in the treatment of cold infections.
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• destroy the virus through phagocytosis and destroy infected cells to prevent further viral replication