Common Cold

The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold.

Causes of Common Cold

We call it the "common cold" for good reason. There are over one billion colds in the United States each year. You and your children will probably have more colds than any other type of illness. Children average three to eight colds per year. They continue getting them throughout childhood. Parents often get them from the kids. Colds are the most common reason that children miss school and parents miss work.

Children usually get colds from other children. When a new strain is introduced into a school or day-care center, it quickly travels through the class.

Colds can occur year-round, but they occur mostly in the winter (even in areas with mild winters). In areas where there is no winter, colds are most common during the rainy season.

When someone has a cold, their runny nose is teeming with cold viruses. Sneezing, nose-blowing, and nose-wiping spread the virus. You can catch a cold by inhaling the virus if you are sitting close to someone who sneezes, or by touching your nose, eyes, or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus.

People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold, and usually not contagious at all by day 7 to 10.

Symptoms of Common Cold

The three most frequent symptoms of a cold are:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing

Adults and older children with colds generally have a low fever or no fever. Young children, however, often run a fever around 100-102F.

Once you have "caught" a cold, the symptoms usually begin in 2 or 3 days, though it may take a week. Typically, an irritated nose or scratchy throat is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.

Within 1 to 3 days, the nasal secretions usually become thicker and perhaps yellow or green. This is a normal part of the common cold and not a reason for antibiotics.

Depending on which virus is causing the symptoms, the virus might also cause:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Postnasal drip

Still, if it is indeed a cold, the main symptoms will be in the nose.

For children with asthma, colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms.

Colds are commonly seen before ear infections. However, a child's eardrums are usually congested during a cold, and it's possible to have fluid buildup without a bacterial infection (called serous otitis media ).

The entire cold is usually over all by itself in about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms (such as cough) for another week. If it lasts longer, see your doctor to rule out another problem such as a sinus infection or allergies.

Treatment of of Common Cold

Possible Complications of Common Cold

• Bronchitis
• Ear infection
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis
• Worsening of asthma

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Try home care measures first. Call your health care provider if:

• Breathing difficulty develops
• Symptoms worsen or do not improve after 7 to 10 days

Prevention of Common Cold

It might seem overwhelming to try to prevent colds, but you can do it. Children average 3 to 8 colds per year.

Here are five proven ways to reduce exposure to germs:

• Wash your hands often - Children and adults should wash hands at key moments -- after nose-wiping, after diapering or toileting, before eating, and before preparing food.
• Disinfect - Clean commonly touched surfaces (sink handles, sleeping mats) with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
• Switch day care - Using a day care where there are six or fewer children dramatically reduces germ contact.
• Use instant hand sanitizers - A little dab will kill 99% of germs without any water or towels. The products use alcohol to destroy germs. They are an antiseptic, not an antibiotic, so resistance can't develop.
• Use paper towels instead of shared cloth towels.

Here are six ways to support the immune system:

• Avoid secondhand smoke: Keep as far away from second-hand smoke as it's little doubt responsible for many health problems, including millions of colds.
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics: The more people use antibiotics, the more likely they are to get sick with longer, more stubborn infections caused by more resistant organisms in the future.
• Breast feed: Breast milk is known to protect against respiratory tract infections, even years after breast-feeding is finished. Kids who don't breast feed average five times more ear infections.
• Drink water: Your body needs fluids for the immune system to function properly.
• Eat yogurt: The beneficial bacteria in some active yogurt cultures help prevent colds.
• Get enough sleep: Late bedtimes and poor sleep leave people vulnerable.