Common Cold

Overview

The common cold is an infectious illness caused by over 200 types of viruses. Rhinovirus is one of the common types of cold, causing 40% - 50% of cold cases. Other types include RSV, HPIV, COVID-19 and adenovirus. Symptoms may generally include runny nose, chills, headache, fever, nose congestion and sore throat.

Babies and adults with weak immune systems and people above 65 or 70 years are at risk of developing the illness. Cold may also lead to respiratory complications such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. Taking enough rest, drinking fluids, using nasal sprays and pain relievers reduce the symptoms of cold.

What is the Common Cold?

The common cold is a highly contagious infection in the upper respiratory tract, which affects the nose, sinuses, throat and trachea. More than 200 types of viruses cause a cold, with rhinovirus contributing to maximum cold cases. Colds are more common in babies, infants, young children, adults above the age of 65 - 70, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Fall, spring and winter are considered as the cold season, as the chilly weather causes dry nasal passages and makes an individual more vulnerable to the infection.

Types of Common Cold

More than 200 types of cold viruses can cause the infection. However, only four or five types affect people commonly. These include the following:

Coronavirus

Commonly known as COVID-19, it is an infectious illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). The virus started spreading at the end of 2019, through the air in tiny fluid droplets among people in close contact. Individuals suffering from this illness may show symptoms within 2 - 14 days of virus exposure, while it remains contagious for 10 - 20 days. The disease can result in respiratory failure, nervous system problems, kidney failure, lasting lung and heart muscle damage, or death.

Rhinovirus

It is the most prevalent cause of the common cold, contributing to 10-40% of colds. A cold virus spreads through the air in the form of tiny droplets, entering the body through the nose, eyes or mouth. Upper respiratory tract infections are common consequences of rhinoviruses, which may also infect the lower respiratory tract. Its incidence is highest in spring and fall. The incubation period is 12 - 72 hours, which may persist till 11 days.

HPIV (Human Parainfluenza Viruses)

Parainfluenza is a group of pathogens that cause common respiratory infections, including croup, colds, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Children younger than the age of 5, adults older than 65, and individuals with weak immune systems are more likely to cause severe illness. This seasonal illness is more active in autumn, spring and winter.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family that causes infections in the respiratory tract. Common respiratory complications include pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Being very similar to rhinovirus, it spreads quickly and commonly affects babies of 12 months, infants, people over 70 years old with lung and heart disease, and any individual with a compromised immune system.

The virus spreads through microscopic respiratory droplets from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing.

Adenovirus

A group of viruses that cause respiratory infections in babies and young children. This common cold type can also affect the eye lining, being responsible for conjunctivitis (pink eye). While an individual may experience cold, croup, encephalitis and meningitis, more severe complications include pneumonia, bronchiolitis and bladder infection. It is a highly contagious infection, that is highly active in close-contact settings, including hospitals, workplaces, schools, childcare settings and summer camps.

Symptoms of Common Cold

Common cold starts developing 2 - 3 days after the virus enters the body, with symptoms lasting for several days or weeks. The symptoms usually progress in 3 different stages, including the following:

• Stage 1- Early (Days 1 - 3): Tickling in the throat is one of the first symptoms that individuals experience within 1 or 2 days of being affected by a cold virus. Other common symptoms in the early stage include cough, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and hoarseness.
• Stage 2- Active (Days 4 - 7): Symptoms worsen during this stage, where people experience chills, fatigue, headache, fever, runny nose and eyes (green or yellow discharge), and body aches in addition to stage 1 symptoms.
• Stage 3- Late (Days 8 - 10): An individual may be free from cold at this stage. However, persisting symptoms may include a nagging cough that can last up to 2 months.

A baby with a common cold may experience sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite, cough, mildly swollen glands, irritability in the throat, difficulty swallowing, increased drooling, and fever between 101 and 102 degrees.

Symptoms associated with different types of common colds include:

Common Cold Type	Symptoms
Coronavirus	Cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, fevers and chills, runny nose and fatigue
Rhinovirus	Headaches, nasal irritation or dryness, sore throat, and throat infection, Loss of ability to smell or taste, cough, vomiting, restlessness, facial and ear pressure, fever, posttussive vomiting
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)	Decreased appetite, fever, coughing and runny nose
Adenovirus	Belly pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, frequent peeing, burning sensation while peeing, and blood in the urine

Causes of Common Cold

Over 200 viruses, including rhinovirus (causing 40% - 50% of common colds), coronaviruses, adenoviruses, HPIV and RSV cause inflammation of the membranes that line the throat and nose. Colds may be more common in fall to late winter because of low humidity, which causes dry nasal passages, making an individual more susceptible to cold viruses.

Risk Factors of Common Cold

Every individual is at risk for being infected by the infection, especially in late August or early September until April. In addition to dry and cold weather, being indoors and close to each other increases the risk factor. Common colds in babies are more common than adults because of their immature or developing immune systems. Close physical contact with other children at school or daycare can also increase the risk.

Diagnosis of Common Cold

A healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam primarily, asking about the symptoms one experiences. They may check for an irritated throat, clear lungs, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, stuffy nose and swelling in nostrils to diagnose the infection. They may perform additional tests if the individual is suspected to be affected by the flu, COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. The tests may include a nasal or throat swab test and chest X-ray.

Treatment for Common Cold

There is no cure for common cold, and in most cases, the symptoms of cold may get better without any treatment within 7 - 10 days. At-home care tips can help your body to heal gradually, including rest, hydration, humidification of air and usage of nasal rinses. For adults, non-prescription pain relievers including ibuprofen and acetaminophen can reduce fever, sore throat and the discomfort of sore throat. One can also use decongestant nasal sprays and cough syrups to treat nose congestion and sore or scratchy throat.

Preventive Measures for Common Cold

Avoid touching a sick person or surfaces they may have touched. Ensure sanitising your hands before touching your eyes and mouth. Work out, hydrate your body and get adequate sleep to boost your immune system. In addition to these measures, eat a balanced diet which contains proteins, carbs, fibres, probiotics and vitamins, to protect against cold and chronic
conditions.

Myths and Facts Related to Common Cold

Following are the myths and facts related to the common cold:

Myth 1: Antibiotics are used to treat cold viruses
Fact: Antibiotics can help treat diseases caused by bacteria.

Myth 2: Giving aspirin to children and teenagers helps to get rid of cold
Fact: Children and teenagers, under the age of 18, must not be given aspirin, as they have been linked with Reye’s syndrome in people who have chickenpox or flu.

Myth 3: Cold weather or being chilled cause common cold
Fact: Colds are caused by viruses such as coronavirus, RSV, HPIV, adenovirus and rhinovirus. It spreads when a sick person sneezes or coughs into the air. The inhalation of those tiny droplets or touching the sick person causes colds.