What is a cold?

The common cold is a viral infectious disease that affects the upper respiratory tract. It is also known as acute viral nasopharyngitis or acute coryza. Being the most common infectious disease in the world, the common cold is mainly caused by coronavirus or rhinovirus. What else do you need to know about the common cold?

Read also: What is flu?

Why do people get colds?

The human body cannot resist absolutely all viruses that can cause a cold. That is why colds are so common and recurring. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children in daycare get an average of 12 colds a year, compared to teenagers and adults who get about seven colds a year. These are very impressive numbers. It is worth thinking about.

What causes a cold?

Colds can be caused by over 200 different types of viruses. Up to 50% of colds are caused by rhinoviruses, which cause other cold viruses: Parainfluenza virus

• Metapneumovirus
• Coronavriuses adenovirus
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Enteroviruses

When a virus manages to overcome an infection, the body's immune system becomes stronger. The body's first line of defense is mucus, which is produced in the nose and throat (mucus is produced by glands). This mucus is very difficult to breathe. Mucus itself is a slippery liquid that is localized on the membranes of the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina. It is the most common cold symptom during the cold winter months, affecting children and adults of all ages. Most people get two to four colds a year.

How can we catch a cold?

The incubation period of a cold lasts from 1 to 4 days. The infection is spread through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The infection can also be spread by dirty hands if you touch your nose or mouth or eyes. This is probably the most common way of transmitting the virus that causes the common cold.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

• Sore throat
• Sore throat when swallowing
• Sneezing
• During a runny nose, mucus initially resembles water, then the mucus secretion gradually becomes thicker and more yellow.
• When the lining of the nose becomes swollen, a person may have difficulty breathing through the nose.

• Aching or ringing sensation in the ears
• Headache
• Cough
• Feeling very unwell
• High temperature
• Children are more prone to high fever than adults.

Colds in children

Colds in children usually go away on their own within a few days. Over-the-counter cough medicines are not recommended for children under six years of age because there is no evidence that they work. In addition, these medications can cause side effects such as allergic reactions, interference with a child's sleep, and increased fatigue.

If your child has a high temperature, you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease the pain and reduce the temperature. If your child has a cough, you can give them a simple soothing cough syrup containing glycerin, honey and lemon. Children over six years of age need other medications – ask your doctor for advice. Any medication for a child should be given with extreme caution. Cough syrups should be measured out with a spoon or measuring cup to avoid overdosing.

For small children who have difficulty feeding due to nasal congestion, saline nasal drops, which can be purchased at pharmacies, can be used. Decongestants can and should also be used for children with nasal congestion.

You should avoid using more than one cough and cold remedy, especially when treating symptoms in children. Different medicines may contain the same active ingredients, and using more than one of them may result in exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Consult your doctor for more precise prescriptions.

A cold is a disease that must be treated correctly. Therefore, to avoid complications due to this disease, you need to take care of yourself and see a doctor in time.

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Possible complications of a cold

Usually, a cold does not cause serious problems and its symptoms disappear within one to two weeks.

Possible complications include eye inflammation, sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, and pneumonia. These complications may be caused by a bacterial infection that affects the irritated lining of the throat or nose.

Acute bronchitis

This condition occurs when the bronchial tubes become inflamed as a result of either a bacterial or viral infection. Antibiotics can only be used if the infection is bacterial, and if it is viral, antibiotics are not used. For a more definitive diagnosis, sputum samples are used, which doctors examine under a microscope to determine which bacteria caused the bronchitis.

Symptoms of bronchitis include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough and phlegm.

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Pneumonia

This is a condition in which the lungs are inflamed, but this time due to the alveoli filling with infected fluid. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria or viruses. However, the cold virus does not cause pneumonia. If pneumonia occurs due to a complication after a cold, then most likely it is caused by a bacterial pathogen. The patient is usually prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain, cough, fever and difficulty breathing.

Acute bacterial sinusitis (sinusitis)

This is a condition in which bacteria infect the sinuses. Nasal and oral inhalers can be used as treatment, but antibiotics are also needed to treat the condition and prevent further spread of the infection. Otherwise, the cold can lead to bacterial meningitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis include headache, pain in the paranasal sinuses and nasal discharge.

Other complications of the common cold may include:

• Bronchiolitis
• Groats
• Otitis media
• Acute pharyngitis
• Asthma - its attacks are caused by colds, especially in children.

People with these conditions may be particularly vulnerable to colds and should take steps to avoid harming themselves, as this may make their condition worse:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is two diseases at once - emphysema and chronic bronchitis. A cold can make emphysema or chronic bronchitis worse, leading to increased cough and shortness of breath. Sometimes a bacterial infection can cause a fever, and then the patient will need to take antibiotics.

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How to behave during a cold?

There are no clear effective treatments for a cold to make it go away faster. If the patient has no other illnesses than a common cold and it goes away in just a week or two, there is no reason to see a doctor.

It is worth knowing that if a cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not suitable for treatment.

• Make sure you drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, ideally purified water - this is especially important for children. Many cold symptoms go away much faster after drinking warm drinks.
• Sleep on a high pillow.
• If you have a cold, there is no need to change your daily activities. But you should know that if you have a cold, you will get tired much faster. So, get plenty of rest. And children with colds also need plenty of rest.
• Avoid smoking. It irritates the nasal mucosa even more.

Stuffy nose and chest cough can be relieved with steam inhalation, which helps to thin out the mucus and ease the symptoms of a runny nose. Sit comfortably and lean your head over a bowl of hot water, place a towel on your head, close your eyes and inhale the steam deeply. A very effective method for getting rid of a runny nose. However, this method is not recommended for children due to the risk of burns.

Symptoms such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and headache can be relieved with a variety of nasal decongestants and over-the-counter medications that can help ease breathing. It is advisable to consult with your doctor about which medications are best for you and your symptoms.

What can you do to avoid catching a cold?

• If possible, stay away from people with colds.
• Avoid crowded places where the risk of catching a cold is much higher
• Avoid touching your nose or eyes after you have had physical contact with someone who has a cold.
• Wash your hands thoroughly, especially if you have a runny nose.
• Ventilate your room well.