Common Colds Information
Common colds, also referred to as coronavirus infections, are the most frequent health conditions. In fact, according to the statistics, common colds affect an average person approximately 50 times during their lifetime. Any person is likely to get this illness, but children are affected more often than adults. Even though colds and flu are quite unpleasant, people get partial immunity when exposed to them.
In most cases colds go away without any complications, but they require a visit to the doctor, which results in a lot of time being wasted by the patients. In fact, because adult and infant colds are so common, a huge industry of over-the-counter drugs has been created to satisfy the demand.
In the United States, the cold season lasts for over half a year – from early fall to the middle of -spring. There is a very popular myth saying, that if you are in a draught or get wet, you will get a cold. This is not exactly true, as to get a cold you have to have some contact with the virus;, plus you may be more susceptible due to poor nutrition, emotional stress, fatigue and overwork.
Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection may lead to middle ear infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop these complications.
Over 200 viruses can cause colds. Coronaviruses and rhinoviruses are the most common groups. The activity of different types of viruses can be different depending on the season, but it doesn’t matter what type of virus you have as it won’t influence the method of treatment for colds you choose. Besides, knowing the viruses will not help you prevent colds.
When people get a cold, they remain contagious for a couple of days. There are a number of ways colds can be passed to other people. The most common ones include through the small fluid droplets with the virus;: they are likely to affect others when you sneeze, cough or simply speak. The virus accommodates in the air passages and in the nose.
Another way colds can be passed is though direct contact. If a person with a cold touches his eyes or nose, and then greets somebody by shaking hands, the virus is passed to the other person. If they later touch their mouth, nose or eyes, the virus accommodates there and then spreads, causing the symptoms of colds.
The third most common way is through the objects (toys, doorknobs, handrails) that can also have the virus on the surface after a contagious person touches them.
The cold virus accommodates very fast by attaching to the lining of the sinuses and air passages. The cells of your body that get infected secrete histamine – a chemical responsible for the activation of blood flow. As the blood starts flowing faster, the infected cells become swollen and mucus is produced. The person doesn’t show the symptoms immediately – it usually takes from one to three days.
The very first symptoms of cold include runny nose, sneezing and persistent tickle in the throat. First the nasal discharge is thin and clear, but it soon becomes greenish or yellowish. Infants with colds are likely to develop a fever, but it’s usually quite low - – 102°F (38.9°C), while most adults don’t.
The danger of colds lies in the fact that they make people more vulnerable to other infections (sinus infections, strep throat and middle ear infections). It’s not recommended to treat colds with antibiotics, as they are likely to go away without any interference. However, in some cases this kind of treatment is a necessity:
- The cold doesn’t go away after one week.,
- Tthe person is experiencing skin rash, swollen glands, difficulty breathing or, cough with gray or greenish sputum.,
- tThe patient has a fever for over two days.,
- tThere are white sports on the throat or tonsils.
Patients with diabetes, chronic lung disease, emphysema, or a weak immune system (which can be the result of such serious diseases as leukemia, AIDS, or from taking medications) are recommended to talk to their physician when they catch a cold, as there is a possibility of getting a secondary infection.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common colds. It’s best to let your immune system produce antibodies to fight the infection, instead of interfering. Despite what many people think, antibiotics do not help treat or cure cold. There are hundreds of drugs you can use to relieve the symptoms of colds, though. They are usually pain relievers, decongestants and antihistamines that will help you live through this time without too many unpleasant symptoms.
In most cases colds last for a week, sometimes a bit longer, but you already feel much better after four to five days. In rare cases such conditions as pneumonia, sinus infection, strep throat, bronchitis, or a middle ear infection may occur, caused by a secondary infection. These are the conditions that require treatment with antibiotics.
Although it’s almost impossible to avoid getting a cold, there are some common sense things you can do to strengthen your immune system and make it less vulnerable. You should try to eat a balanced diet, get plenty of rest and try to avoid public places in the middle of thea cold season, if possible. This will slightly decrease the probability of catching a cold. Infant colds are often unexpected, so keep an eye on your child to make sure he or she is not displaying any symptoms.
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