The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection(URTI) caused by many different viruses. It is the most common infectious disease among humans.
Many types of virus can cause a cold, and the human body can never build up resistance to them all. This is why colds are so common and often return.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults on average get 2-3 cold per year and children may have more. They usually last around 7–10 days.
The common cold is
transmitted by virus-infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions.
Symptoms-
When a person has a cold virus, their immune system tries to fight it off. This causes the symptoms that we recognize as a cold.
Some common Symptoms –
• a sore throat
• a cough
• sneezing
• a blocked or runny nose
• a headache
other symptoms include-
• muscle aches
• shivering
• pink eye
• weakness
• low appetite
• fatigue
People who have week immune system may develop more severe symptoms or a secondary infection, such as pneumonia.
Causes of common cold-
Different viruses can cause cold symptoms, and rhinoviruses are responsible for most of them.
When a virus enters the body, the immune system tries to fight it. In a person with a strong immune system, symptoms may not develop.but a weak immune system cannot fight off the virus, symptoms of infection will appear.
Risk factors-
Colds can affect anyone at any time of year, but some factors can increase the risk-
• having a weak immune system
• seasonal factors, as colds are more common in winter
• having close contact with someone who has a cold
Complications of common cold-
Most people experience a cold from time to time. A cold is not usually serious, but it can lead to complications in older people and those with a weakened immune system.
A cold is not usually serious, and colds mostly disappear after 7–10 days. Sometimes, however, complications can occur. These are most likely to affect those with a weakened immune system.
They include-
• pneumonia
• acute bronchitis
• bronchiolitis
• otitis media
• strep throat
common cold can worsen the symptoms of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
There is no cure for a cold, but treatment can provide temporary relief from symptoms. Hand-washing and other hygiene practices can help prevent a cold.
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