The Common Cold

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, mild body or headache – everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold. It is probably the most common illness. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Although there are over 200 viruses that can cause a cold, the rhinovirus is the most common type of virus. In the course of a year, people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds.

 

You can get a cold by touching your eyes or nose after you touch surfaces with germs on them. You can also inhale the germs. Symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after infection and last 2 to 14 days. Washing your hands and staying away from people with colds will help you avoid getting sick. Infants and preschool children are especially susceptible to colds because they have not yet developed resistance to most of the viruses that cause them. Both children and adults are most susceptible in fall and winter.

 

There is no cure for the common cold. For relief, try getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, gargling with warm salt water, using cough drops or throat sprays and taking over-the-counter pain or cold medicines. Before giving these medications to children, please check with your physician or pharmacist.   Antibiotics are generally not required as they are needed only when you are suffering with a bacterial infection which sometimes occurs as a secondary infection. 

 

If you have additional questions or would like information on medications that can help with cold symptoms please contact Steve Adkins or Kay West.