Common cold also known simply as cold is an upper infectious disease caused by many different viruses. Common cold is a disease that can be managed at homes.
Causes of common cold
More than 200 different types of viruses causes common cold with Rhinovirus causing 30
Symptoms
Common cold symptoms typically occurs two to three days after getting the infection. This may vary depending on the type of virus that is causing the infection. Symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Stuffy nose on nasal drainage
- Low grade fever
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Hoarseness
- Earache
The symptoms of infants and children are similar to those seen in adults.
Treatment
Common cold has no cure since it’s a self limiting illness that resolve within time and proper management. Home treatment for common cold includes drinking plenty of fluids while resting. Although drugs such as cough drops, throat sprays, throat lozenges and cough syrups may help relieve symptoms in older children and adults, they don’t shorten the duration of the common cold. Warm saltwater may help with sore throat while drugs such as antihistamines may be used fore nasal symptoms. It is important to encourage plenty of fluids and allow rest for infants and small children in order to prevent dehydration.
Prevention
The most important and mostly used prevention for common cold is avoiding direct contact with infected people. There is no effective vaccine currently against the common cold.