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. | The Common Cold
Young children have an average of 3 to 8 colds per year, while adults have between 2 to 4 colds per year. Millions of days of work and school are lost and millions of dollars spent on over the counter remedies and prescriptions each year due to the common cold.
Colds are viral infections. More than 100 different viruses are the cause of colds, most common in the fall to spring months. You can catch a cold if someone sneezes or coughs close to you, but not if they sneeze or cough across the room. The virus survives for hours on surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, phones and office equipment. Washing these surfaces with hot, soapy water or disinfectant can destroy the cold virus.
Colds are infectious 24 hours before you notice symptoms until five days after the cold starts. Children may be infectious for as long as three weeks. You develop immunity after infection from a particular virus, so adults have fewer colds then children with immature immune systems.
If you are sneezing, coughing, have itchy eyes, a runny nose, a scratchy throat and generally feel stuffed up and tired, you probably have a cold. These symptoms are not caused by the virus but are a result of your immune system's attack against the virus. If the virus is successful in getting past the defences in your nose and throat, it will start to grow in your throat. The infected throat cells release chemicals that cause redness and swelling. White blood cells go to the area to destroy the virus, which causes congestion and a runny nose. A cough is triggered trying to expel the extra mucous. Most people are ill the first two or three days and are still congested but start to feel better by the end of seven days. It may take another week for the lining of the nose to recover.
Common treatments for colds include bed rest, drinking hot fluids, steam, chicken soup, as well as over-the-counter cold remedies. Cold remedies may provide relief, but they will not kill the virus.
Preventing a cold involves caring for our immune system with balanced nutritious meals, adequate rest, and controlling our stress. Hand washing is the best cold prevention. Washing vigorously with soap and water for 10-20 seconds will get rid of the virus. Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, after using the toilet, and before eating. Always use disposable tissues to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Do not share drinking and eating utensils with others when you are ill. And, buy a new toothbrush after your cold.
It is advisable to contact your health care practitioner if you have:
- a history of rheumatic fever, kidney disease, or asthma AND you have a sore throat
- a fever of 39.5 degrees Celsius that lasts more than 24 hours
- a pain or throbbing ache in one or both ears
- a daytime cough which produces thick sputum or green phlegm
- pain inside your chest when you cough or breathe
- an unusually sore throat with swollen neck glands
- a cough or symptoms that last more than three weeks
Always contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these symptoms. You can't prevent all colds, but you can reduce the number you get with simple care and frequent vigorous handwashing.
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