Common Cold
Colds are the most prevalent infectious disease of respiratory tract caused by different Viruses.
It’s the most common reason that children miss school.
Most Children have average 3 to 8 colds per year (more common in younger children and boys).
What are the symptoms of common cold-
Sore throat,stuffy nose,runny nose,cough,mild fever,headache,bodyache,decreased appetite,vomit and sometimes diarrhea.These symptoms are often the body’s attempt to get rid of the virus and to minimize damage. Sneezing ejects the virus from the nose, coughing from the lungs and throat, vomiting from the stomach, and diarrhea from the intestines. Fever makes it difficult for the virus to reproduce.
Colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms like cough and wheezing. They are also the most common precursor of ear and lower respiratory tract infections.
What causes common cold:
Over 250 different types of viruses can cause a cold. Rhinoviruses, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses and enteroviruses are the common viruses.
Most children are sick with each specific strain of cold virus only once in their lives.
Colds occur mostly in the winter and during the rainy season.
Is common cold contagious?
Yes. Sneezing, nose-blowing, coughing and nose-wiping are the means by which the virus spreads. 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 infected nasal secretions of other person.
Children are the major reservoir of the many cold viruses. They usually get colds from other children. When a new virus is introduced into a school, it quickly travels through the class.
How long does a common cold last?
The entire cold episode usually last for about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms like cough and running nose for another week. If it lasts longer, consider another problem, such as a sinus infection or allergies including asthma.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
Although the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to differentiate. But generally cold symptoms are much milder than flu.The flu often causes higher fever, chills, body ache, and fatigue.
How is a common cold treated?
There is no cure for the common cold. The most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated.
There is no need to suppress low-grade fever as it helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of viruses.
Most cold treatments are aimed at controlling troublesome symptoms ( like paracetamol for fever and pain). Antibiotics should not be used to treat a common cold.
How it can be prevented?
Common cold can be prevented, both by decreasing the exposure to germs and also by boosting child's immunity.
• Wash your hands.Clean your hands thoroughly and often, and teach your children the importance of hand-washing.Frequent hand washing can destroy viruses that you have acquired from touching surfaces used by other people. You can also carry a small tube of hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes when visiting public places.
• Scrub your stuff.Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family has a common cold. Wash children's toys periodically.
• Use tissues.Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands carefully. Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouths without using their hands.
• Don't share.Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick.
• Avoid close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold.
• Don't smoke.Cigarette smoke can irritate the airways and increase susceptibility to colds and other infections. Even exposure to passive smoke can make you (or your children) more vulnerable to colds.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.While there isn't direct evidence to show that eating well or exercising can prevent colds, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, with adequate sleep, good nutrition and physical exercise can help ensure that your immune system is in good condition and ready to fight infection if it occurs.
Colds are the most prevalent infectious disease of respiratory tract caused by different Viruses.
It’s the most common reason that children miss school.
Most Children have average 3 to 8 colds per year (more common in younger children and boys).
What are the symptoms of common cold-
Sore throat,stuffy nose,runny nose,cough,mild fever,headache,bodyache,decreased appetite,vomit and sometimes diarrhea.These symptoms are often the body’s attempt to get rid of the virus and to minimize damage. Sneezing ejects the virus from the nose, coughing from the lungs and throat, vomiting from the stomach, and diarrhea from the intestines. Fever makes it difficult for the virus to reproduce.
Colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms like cough and wheezing. They are also the most common precursor of ear and lower respiratory tract infections.
What causes common cold:
Over 250 different types of viruses can cause a cold. Rhinoviruses, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses and enteroviruses are the common viruses.
Most children are sick with each specific strain of cold virus only once in their lives.
Colds occur mostly in the winter and during the rainy season.
Is common cold contagious?
Yes. Sneezing, nose-blowing, coughing and nose-wiping are the means by which the virus spreads. 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 infected nasal secretions of other person.
Children are the major reservoir of the many cold viruses. They usually get colds from other children. When a new virus is introduced into a school, it quickly travels through the class.
How long does a common cold last?
The entire cold episode usually last for about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms like cough and running nose for another week. If it lasts longer, consider another problem, such as a sinus infection or allergies including asthma.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
Although the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Because they have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to differentiate. But generally cold symptoms are much milder than flu.The flu often causes higher fever, chills, body ache, and fatigue.
How is a common cold treated?
There is no cure for the common cold. The most important thing you can do is drink a lot of fluids to keep your body hydrated.
There is no need to suppress low-grade fever as it helps the body fight off infection by suppressing the growth of viruses.
Most cold treatments are aimed at controlling troublesome symptoms ( like paracetamol for fever and pain). Antibiotics should not be used to treat a common cold.
How it can be prevented?
Common cold can be prevented, both by decreasing the exposure to germs and also by boosting child's immunity.
• Wash your hands.Clean your hands thoroughly and often, and teach your children the importance of hand-washing.Frequent hand washing can destroy viruses that you have acquired from touching surfaces used by other people. You can also carry a small tube of hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes when visiting public places.
• Scrub your stuff.Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family has a common cold. Wash children's toys periodically.
• Use tissues.Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands carefully. Teach children to sneeze or cough into the bend of their elbow when they don't have a tissue. That way they cover their mouths without using their hands.
• Don't share.Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick.
• Avoid close, prolonged contact with anyone who has a cold.
• Don't smoke.Cigarette smoke can irritate the airways and increase susceptibility to colds and other infections. Even exposure to passive smoke can make you (or your children) more vulnerable to colds.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.While there isn't direct evidence to show that eating well or exercising can prevent colds, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, with adequate sleep, good nutrition and physical exercise can help ensure that your immune system is in good condition and ready to fight infection if it occurs.
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