Common cold
• Definition
· Common Cold is the condition of a mild viral infection of the nose, sinus and throat.
· Overview
· Common Cold tend to be mild and usually resolve without treatment or needing to see a doctor.
· Colds are usually caused by an infection with a virus called the Rhinovirus.
· Colds are infrequently caused by a mild bacterial infection.
· Colds are the most common infection and colds cause accounting for 18 million days of lost work and 23 million days off school.
· Colds usually will last a couple of days but occasionally symptoms may last up to two weeks.
• Symptoms
Cold symptoms include:
· sore throat
· runny nose with a clear liquid discharge (green or yellow discharge is more consistent with a bacterial infection of the sinuses and not a simple Cold).
· nasal congestion
· sinus congestion
· low grade fever
· fatigue
· mild muscle pain
• Prevention
Preventing a “Cold”
· The cold viruses are usually transmitted by hand to hand contact such as shaking hands.
· Frequent hand washing is important in preventing a Cold.
• Complications
Complications of a Cold include development of:
· a sinus infection
· bronchitis
· pneumonia
· ear infection
• Treatment
· Decongestants
· Antihistamines
· Antibiotics are given less frequently for Colds and would only be beneficial if a bacterial infection was present.
· Nasal steroids
Reference
Linde K et al: Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;(2):CD000530. [PMID: 16437427]
Mainous AG 3rd et al: Trends in antimicrobial prescribing for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections among adults and children. Am J Public Health 2003; 93:1910. [PMID: 14600065]
Eccles R: Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infect Dis 2005;5:718.
Hirschmann JV: Antibiotics for common respiratory tract infections in adults. Arch Intern Med 2002;162:256.
Steinman MA et al: Predictors of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in adult primary care. JAMA 2003;289:719.
Wright ED et al: Infectious adult rhinosinusitis: etiology, diagnosis, and management principles. J Otolaryngol 2005;34 Suppl 1:S7.
Posted on March 22, 2009
