Common Cold

What is the common cold?

The common cold is an infection of the head and chest caused by a virus. It is a type of upper respiratory infection (URI). It can affect your nose, throat, sinuses, and ears. A cold can also affect the tube that connects your middle ear and throat, and your windpipe, voice box, and airways.

How does it occur?

Over 200 different viruses can cause colds. The infection spreads when viruses are passed to others by sneezing, coughing, or personal contact. You may also become infected by handling objects that were touched by someone with a cold.

You are more likely to get a cold if:

You are emotionally or physically stressed.
You are tired.
You are not eating enough healthy food.
You are a smoker.
You are living or working in crowded conditions.

People tend to get fewer colds as they get older because they build up immunity to some of the viruses that can cause colds.

What are the symptoms?

You usually start having cold symptoms 1 to 3 days after contact with a cold virus. Symptoms may include:

scratchy or sore throat
sneezing, runny or stuffy nose
cough
watery eyes
ear congestion
slight fever (99 to 100°F, or 37.2 to 37.8°C)
tiredness
headache
loss of appetite.

How is it diagnosed?

Colds can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms. Your health care provider may need to examine you to rule out other serious infections, such as strep throat and sinusitis.

Common colds are different from influenza (flu), even though both are caused by viruses. Influenza usually develops more suddenly than a cold. When you have the flu, you develop fever and muscles aches within a few hours, even as few as 1 or 2 hours. The symptoms of a cold develop more slowly and are usually milder.

How is it treated?

There are no medicines that cure a cold. You can treat your symptoms with nonprescription medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nose drops or sprays, cough syrups and drops, throat lozenges, and decongestants. Check with your provider before you take any of these drugs if you are already taking other medicines.

Children under 18 years of age should not take aspirin or products containing salicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) because of the risk of Reye's syndrome unless recommended by a healthcare provider.

How long do the effects last?

Colds usually last 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes you may get a bacterial infection after a cold, such as an ear infection or sinus infection.

How can I take care of myself?

Get lots of rest.
Drink lots of fluids, such as water, fruit juice, tea, and soda.
Use a humidifier to increase air moisture, especially in your bedroom.
Use nose drops to relieve nasal congestion. You can buy nose drops or make your own. To make a solution for nose drops, add 1 teaspoon of salt to a quart of water.

Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

worsening earache
trouble breathing
swollen, tender glands in your neck
chest pain
skin rash
worsening sore throat
white or yellow spots on your tonsils or throat
a cough that gets worse or becomes painful
temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher that lasts more than 2 days
shaking chills
headache that lasts several days
confusion
blue or gray lips, skin, or nails.

What can be done to help prevent the spread of colds?

The following suggestions may help prevent the spread of your cold to others.

Turn away from others and use tissues when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Wash your hands often and especially before touching food, dishes, glasses, silverware, or napkins.
Use paper cups and paper towels in bathrooms.
Don't let your nose or mouth touch public telephones or drinking fountains.
Don't share food or eating utensils with others.
Avoid close contact with others for the first 2 to 4 days.

To lower your risk of catching a cold:

Avoid close contact with people who have a cold.
Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth.
Wash your hands often, especially after coming in contact with someone who has a cold.
Eat healthy foods, especially fruits with vitamin C, such as oranges.
Get plenty of rest.
Do not smoke.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File INF4506F.HTM Release 9.0/2006