Colds

INTRODUCTION

Common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract - the nose and throat. It is usually harmless, although at first glance may not convey such an impression. If your nose does not runs, you do not have any sore throat and you are not coughing, then your eyes are in tears, you are sneezing or have a stuffy nose, or have all the previously listed symptoms.

Responsible for the common cold may be over 250 viruses and the symptoms vary from case to case.

Most adults are getting cold two to four times a year. Children, especially younger children may have a cold, and up to 10 times a year. In most people, the common cold lasts one to two weeks. If symptoms do not improve during this time see your doctor.

REASONS

Common cold is one of the most common diseases in the world and in the life of every man and a common cause of absence from school of children or adults from work. Common cold is an infection that quickly spread around. Although colds occur during the whole year the most common are in winter.

When someone has a cold, the mucus from the nose carries the virus causing the common cold. The sneezing, blowing and wiping the nose spread viruses that cause the common cold. The virus can enter by inhalation if you are near someone who sneezes, or if you touch your eyes nose or mouth after you have touched the object contaminated with the virus.

The most infectious are people in the first 2-3 days of the onset of a cold, and often, cold ends after the 7th day.

SYMPTOMS

stuffy nose ( nasal congestion )

leak of watery secretion from the nose

sneezing

Adults and older children when they are cold generally have very low increased temperature or temperature does not increase at all. Younger children however, have increased temperature to 38-39 degrees. Symptoms usually appear 2-3 days after infection with the virus. First sign is itching nose. Then followed by sneezing and watery secretion from the nose.

During 1-3 days, nasal secretions usually become thicker and usually yellowish or greenish. This is a normal part of a cold and not a reason for antibiotic therapy.

Depending on the virus that causes the common cold, beside the above listed as symptoms appear and:

cough

decreased appetite

headache

muscle aches

sore throat

However, if it is really a cold main complaint are related to the nose.

In children with asthma, colds are a common trigger of asthma symptoms.

Colds are often precursors to ear infections. However, during the cold you can have congestion in the middle ear - serous otitis media without bacterial infection.

Colds usually passes " by itself " after about 7 days. But it can happen and some of the symptoms such as cough to continue for one week more. If symptoms last longer, call the doctor to rule out other diseases such as sinusitis, ear infections or allergies.

THERAPY

Rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Symptomatic therapy can help you deal with the symptoms. Such drugs as drops for decongestant nose, cough drugs, drugs to reduce temperature, etc.. They can allow you to feel better even though you do not shorten the duration of colds.

Antibiotics are not used to treat colds. Surely they will not help and may aggravate the situation. Green - yellow discharge from the nose is not a reason for antibiotics unless it lasts longer than 2 weeks - then you should consult a doctor to check if you have a sinus infection.

It is not yet determined whether antiviral drugs are helping.

It is recommended eating hot soup - because salt, liquid and heat helps in fight with the infection.

Vitamin C and zinc preparations as a kind of alternative therapy can also help.

The symptoms will disappear after 1 week to a maximum of 10 days.

COMPLICATIONS

bronchitis

ear infections

pneumonia

sinusitis

worsening of asthma

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

Call the doctor if you have trouble breathing or symptoms are worsening or no improvement after 7-10 days.

PREVENTION

Although sometimes it seems impossible to prevent colds however here are some proven ways to reduce exposure of the body to the viruses:

always wash your hands after wiping the nose, changing diapers, after using the toilet, and do this before eating and before preparing food

disinfection - clean surfaces that we touch as often such as faucet with safe and effective disinfectant

use antiseptic products for washing the hands with the base of alcohol that destroys viruses

use paper for wiping hands after washing instead cloth

Here are some ways to help your defence system

Avoid smoky rooms

Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics - frequent overuse of antibiotics can only encourage the development of resistant microorganisms that are responsible for longer and more severe infections in future

Breastfeed your child - it is know that breast milk protects the child against infections of the airways and long after stopping of breastfeeding

Drink water - fluids are necessary for the normal functioning of your body and immune system

Sleep enough and regularly

Drink yogurt - some of the bacteria cultures in yogurt helps in preventing colds