Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health
Grow Youthful: How to Slow Your Aging and Enjoy Extraordinary Health

Colds (common cold)

What is a cold?

Symptoms of colds

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for colds

References

What is a cold?

A common cold (also known as nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, head cold, or just a cold) is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract which primarily affects the nose. The throat (pharyngitis), the sinuses (sinusitis), and the eyes (via conjunctivitis) are also frequently affected, with a common cold occasionally leading to viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia.

The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans with on average 2 - 3 infections per year in adults and up to 6 - 12 in children. Common colds are seasonal, occurring more frequently during winter - probably because people are in closer proximity to one another and the viruses are highly contagious.

A healthy adult should seldom if ever get a cold. Children may occasionally get colds and other infections as their immune system matures.

A cold typically lasts from 2 - 10 days, though it may continue for 3 weeks in those with weaker immune systems.

Over 200 different viruses can cause the common cold, with rhinoviruses are the most common. It is not possible to gain complete immunity because of the variety of viruses and their tendency for continuous mutation. Children are more susceptible because they have not had exposure to, and built up immunity to a variety of cold viruses.

The cold virus is usually transmitted via airborne droplets (aerosols), direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or contaminated objects.

Symptoms of colds

Symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the viral infection rather than to tissue destruction by the virus. Symptoms usually begin within 16 hours of exposure.

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for colds

References

1. Shefrin AE, Goldman RD. Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children. November 2009. Can Fam Physician 55 (11): 1081-3. PMC 2776795. PMID 19910592.