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About Common Cold

Types of Cold

  • Common cold

A common cold, also known as a viral cold (Rhinovirus), is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by a virus

  • Flu

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.

  • Bacterial cold (Streptococcal Sore throat)

Streptococcal throat is categorized as a bacterial cold transmitted by direct contact with the sores or mucus of someone who is already infected with the streptococcal bacteria.

Typical symptoms for a streptococcal infection include a sore throat, a cold and runny nose, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, white patches on the throat, redness and swelling of the tonsils, painful swallowing, headaches, body aches, and rashes.

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  • COVID-19 infection

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory disease caused by infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, a cough and tiredness. But there are many other possible signs and symptoms.

  • Allergic cold (Allergic rhinitis)

Allergic cold (Allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to a foreign substance (e.g., dust, fomites etc.) that typically causes cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose.

Causes of common cold

More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common type. The viruses that cause colds are very contagious. They can spread from person to person through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected when you touch something that has the virus on it and then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. For example, you could get a cold after you shake hands with someone who has a cold or touch a doorknob that has germs on it,- and then touch your face.

How to differentiate Cold, Flu and Covid

Common symptomsColdFluCovid-19
Fever and/or chills

Rare

 

Usual, high (100-102°F), sometimes higher, especially in young children); lasts 3-4 days

Common

 

HeadacheUncommon

Common

 

Common

 

General Aches, PainsSlightUsual; often severeCommon
Fatigue, WeaknessSometimesUsual, can last up to 3 weeksCommon
Extreme ExhaustionNeverUsual, at the beginning of the illnessCommon
Sore throatCommonSometimesCommon
Runny or stuffy noseCommonSometimesCommon
SneezingUsualSometimesRare
CoughCommonCommon, can become severeCommon, dry cough
Chest DiscomfortMild to moderateCommonCommon; can cause trouble breathing or persistent pain or pressure in the chest that calls for immediate emergency care
Vomiting and diarrhea YesYes
Change in or loss of taste or smellRareRareCommon
    
Treatment

Get plenty of rest.

Stay hydrated. (Drink plenty of fluids.)

Decongestants.

Aspirin (ages 18 and up), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for aches and pains

Get plenty of rest.

Stay hydrated. (Drink plenty of fluids.)

Aspirin (ages 18 and up), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for aches, pains, and fever.

Antiviral medicines (see your doctor)

The government has developed guidelines for the management of COVID-19 which is regularly updated.
    
Prevention

Wash your hands often.

Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold.

Get the flu vaccine each year.

Wash your hands often.

Avoid close contact with anyone who has the flu.

Get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Wear a mask in public places.

Avoid crowds.

Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Get tested if you think you might have COVID-19

 

    
ComplicationsSinus infection, middle ear infection, asthma.Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threateningPneumonia, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome  (fluid in lungs), sepsis, cardiac events (e.g., heart attack and stroke), multiple organ failure, inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissue, death

Difference between
bacterial and viral cold

Bacterial Cold

Streptococcal throat is categorized as a bacterial cold, is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by a streptococcal bacteria.

Signs and symptoms

  • Fever is high/very high [38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher]
  • Erythema, swelling, or exudates of the tonsils or pharynx
  • Tender anterior cervical nodes (≥1 cm)
  • Absence of conjunctivitis, cough, and rhinorrhea.

Viral Cold

A common cold, also known as a viral cold, is an upper respiratory infection that is caused by a rhinovirus

Signs and symptoms

  • Fever: Less common in adults but may be present in children with rhinoviral infections
  • Nasal mucosal erythema and edema are common
  • Nasal discharge: Profuse discharge, initially clear secretions typically become cloudy white over several days,
  • Foul breath
  • Conjunctivitis, cough present.

Fever and Cold – How common

Man running a fever

The common cold (upper respiratory infection) is one of the most common illnesses in children. Each year it leads to more healthcare provider visits and missed days from school and work than any other illness.

  • Most children will have at least 6 to 8 colds a year. Children who attend day-care will have more.
  • Colds may occur less often after age 6.
  • Children are more likely to have colds during fall and winter.

Fevers are a common part of life, and all kids will get one from time-to-time.

  • In fact, one fever a month is a pretty normal frequency to expect in young children, especially if they’re enrolled in child care or have older siblings — which expose kids to germs and infections.
  • Fever once a month in young children (over 3 months old) is normal. Although one fever a month can be typical, morethan one fever a month may be cause for concern. Contact your pediatrician or family doctor if that’s the case.
  • Fever in babies under 3 months old should be taken seriously — and they shouldn’t happen at the same frequency as older children.
  • Common cold rarely results in a fever.
  • Patients with Covid-19 typically have fevers of 100 F or higher
  • Flu patients frequently have fevers of 100 F to 102 F lasting three to four days.
  • Different viral infections have different fever patterns. Most rhinoviruses will give a low grade fever, while adenovirus and influenza are famous for high spikes. The height of a fever can also vary with how large a dose of viral particles the person was initially exposed to. Also, if a person had an illness within the previous month, exposure to another fever causing illness will cause an exaggerated fever response.

See a doctor if you have:

  • Trouble breathing or fast breathing
  • Dehydration
  • Fever that lasts longer than 4 days
  • Symptoms that last more than 10 days without improvement
  • Symptoms, such as fever or cough, that improve but then return or worsen
  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions

There is no vaccine to protect against the common cold. But you may be able to reduce your risk of getting or spreading a cold by:

  • Washing your handsoften with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoiding touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoiding close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils, with others if you are sick or they are sick.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
  • Staying home when sick.

 

 

 

Home Care

  • Getting lots of rest.
  • Drinking plenty of fluids.
  • Using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
  • Gargling with warm salt water.
  • Using saline nose drops or sprays.
  • Taking over-the-counter pain or cold and cough medicines. But you need to be careful with certain medicines:

-Children and teens should not take aspirin.

-Some cold and cough medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children. Talk with your child’s health care provider before giving your child any cold and cough medicines.

-Some cold and cough medicines contain pain relievers. If you also take a separate pain reliever with these medicines, you could be getting a dangerous amount of the pain reliever. Read the labels on the medicines and follow the instructions

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