DEFINITION Colds are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract such as the nose and throat. Colds are usually painful though it did not hurt. Usually people who have experienced a cold, wet nose, sore throat and cough. Some will experience watery eyes, sneezing and stuffy nose, or could have all of them. In fact there are more than 200 viruses can cause colds and the symptoms that occur vary.
Most adults exposed to a cold two to four times a year. Especially children in pre school can be exposed to colds between six to ten times a year. Most people recover from a cold about a week to two weeks. If symptoms do not improve it is advisable to contact your doctor.
SYMPTOMS
Cold symptoms usually appear about one to three days after being exposed to cold viruses. Signs and symptoms that can arise are:
• The nose is wet
• Itching and pain in the throat
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• A little pain in the body or mild headache
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Mild fever (over 39 Celsius)
• A little fatigue
Mucus in the nose may become thick and yellow or green and of course to flow out. What makes a cold different from other viral infections is generally you will not experience a high fever. You also will not experience significant fatigue in the cold.
Causes & Risk Factors
Cause
There are more than 200 viruses can cause colds. Rhinovirus is the most numerous and the virus is most contagious. Cold viruses enter your body through the mouth or nose. The virus can spread through the air when a sick person coughing, sneezing or talking. Moreover, it can also spread through hand contact with someone who is sick or borrowing something, such as supplies, towels, toys, or telephone. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after contact will increase your chances of contracting a cold.
Risk factors
Common cold virus is almost always in the neighborhood. But the following factors may increase the chances of a cold:
Cause
There are more than 200 viruses can cause colds. Rhinovirus is the most numerous and the virus is most contagious. Cold viruses enter your body through the mouth or nose. The virus can spread through the air when a sick person coughing, sneezing or talking. Moreover, it can also spread through hand contact with someone who is sick or borrowing something, such as supplies, towels, toys, or telephone. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after contact will increase your chances of contracting a cold.
Risk factors
Common cold virus is almost always in the neighborhood. But the following factors may increase the chances of a cold:
- Of age. Infants and children pre-school age are especially vulnerable to cold because they do not have the endurance development in most of the virus. But an immature immune system is not the only things that make children vulnerable. They also tend to spend much time with other children and often do not properly wash their hands and covering your nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.
- Immunity. With age for developing immunity against the virus that causes colds. Nevertheless you can still have a cold when exposed to cold viruses, have an allergic reaction that causes difficulty or have a weakened immune system. All these factors increase the risk of colds.
- Season. Either children or adults are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter. That's because many people prefer to spend time indoors. At places where no winter, colds are more prevalent during the rainy season.
There is no vaccine developed for the common cold, because colds can be caused by different viruses. But you can take anticipatory measures to slow the spread of cold viruses.
- Wash your hands. Clean hands thoroughly and often, and teach your child the importance of hand washing. Bring a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least the alcohol content of 60 percent and use to clean their hands when water is not available.
- Clean your equipment. Keep kitchen and bathroom kept clean, especially when a family member affected by colds. Clean up toys after playing.
- Use a paper towel. Always use a tissue when sneezing and coughing. Throw the tissue that has been used and then wash your hands properly. Teach children to sneeze or cough on the curve of the elbow if no tissue. That's how to protect their mouth without using hands.
- Do not share. Do not share drinks or equipment with other family members. Use your own property or disposable cups when you or someone else sick. Label the cup or glass with the name of the person who has a cold.
- Keep it away from the cold. Avoid close or long time contact with somebody with a cold.