Health

What is Common Cold?

Typically, common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system. It is usually caused by rhinovirus, which is easily transmitted to others.

It is the most prevalent contagious disease among humans and the most common reason children miss school and adults miss work. A 1998 experimental study revealed that the common cold was linked to decreased alertness and delayed reaction times. This was true whether the infecting virus was identified or not. It was also true for colds caused by the rhinovirus or the coronavirus.

Although it is more common to catch a cold in the winter or spring, it can strike any time of the year. This illness is self-limiting and usually goes away on its own.

In addition, children get more colds than adults do on average, which is about two to three times per year. Young children are more susceptible to viral infection than adults since they have not yet been exposed to viruses. Their immune systems must learn to identify and combat these new pathogens.

Common Cold Symptoms

Typically, the symptoms of the common cold show up gradually one to three days after exposure. The following signs and symptoms can be different from person to person:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Slight body aches
• Mild headache
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever
• Feeling unwell or generalized fatigue
• Temporary loss of sense of smell/taste

A common cold does not require medical attention, as it only lasts so long and goes away on its own. However, it is best to contact your healthcare provider and seek medical attention if you have the following:

• Symptoms that fail to improve
• Temperature greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C) lasting more than three days
• Recurrent fever after a fever-free period
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Severe sore throat
• Unbearable headache or sinus pain

Remember that if your symptoms do not even improve after a week or if they persist after roughly ten days, consult your doctor.

Is Common Cold Contagious?

Common cold can be passed from one person to another through the air and close contact.

The first symptoms of a cold are frequently a runny nose and sore throat, followed by coughing and sneezing. You are contagious as soon as symptoms begin and for the duration of your illness, which is often a week or two.

People can contract the disease by coming in contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions or stool (poop). It can be acquired if you shake hands with someone who is infected or if you touch your eyes, mouth, or nose after touching a surface covered in respiratory viruses, such as a doorknob, pen, etc.

To lessen the possibility of spreading the illness:

• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Bring and use a hand sanitizer with an alcohol base if soap and water are not available.
• When you sneeze or cough, use tissues to contain the germs
• Immediately throw away soiled tissues
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with soiled hands; this is how cold-causing viruses can get into your body and make you ill.

Keep your distance from those who are ill. Through close touch, sick people can pass germs to others.

What are the stages of the cold?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the majority of people typically recover from a common cold within seven to ten days.

Symptoms often develop over time, peak, and then gradually subside. The following are the stages of how this disease occurs:

Stage 1 – Incubation

It usually takes one to three days for symptoms to appear after exposure to a virus. However, it could occur as early as 10 to 12 hours after contact. During the early stages, symptoms are typically mild.

Stage 2 – Symptoms peak

The first to third days are when the worst of the cold symptoms appear. The most prevalent signs and symptoms are a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, discomfort, sneezing, and fever (more prevalent in children).

You might find at this time that everything hurts, e.g., headaches and body pains. In addition, during this phase, people could also observe nasal mucus turning white, green, or yellow.

Stage 3 – Remission

The symptoms begin to lessen within three to ten days before they eventually disappear.

Stage 4 – Recovery

Some minor, residual symptoms may last up to two weeks, but overall, a person feels back to normal or very close to it.

How Long Does Common Cold Last?

Common cold has no known treatment since this is a self-limiting condition. However, most people form it in a week to ten days, although occasionally, they persist for up to two weeks.

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How Can I Speed Up Recovery from A Cold?

Although there is no treatment for this disease, certain supplements and engaging in appropriate self-care may be able to reduce the length of your illness.

Echinacea

This may reduce the length of a cold by 1.4 days.

Vitamin C

The recommended dose is 90 milligrams for men and 75 mg for non-pregnant women.

Zinc

A 2017 analysis of studies suggested that zinc lozenges might help you recover from this condition more quickly than you would without them. The average duration of having the common cold was reduced by 33 percent, which could imply relief for at least a few days sooner.

Black elderberry syrup

It is a traditional remedy, and according to an earlier study, it reduces the duration of the illness in patients who had symptoms by an average of four days.

Beetroot juice

A 2019 study shows that people who drank beetroot juice had fewer symptoms than those who did not. It enhances the body’s production of nitric oxide since it contains a lot of dietary nitrates, which might help shield you against respiratory infections.

Rest

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you to get more rest and sleep. Although it may seem alluring to strengthen your immune system through exercise, it is best to take it easy for a few days.

Lots of liquids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends drinking plenty of liquids, like hot tea, water, and chicken soup, to keep you hydrated, especially if you have a fever. Also, it can loosen nasal congestion to make breathing easy.

How Do You Know When Your Cold is Ending?

People usually start to feel better from a cold within 7–10 days. People start feeling better as symptoms begin to subside. Additionally, people can discover that they have more energy and are better able to complete chores as usual.

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Why Do Colds Get Worse At Night?

The factors that make your symptoms worse at night are as follows:

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone that combats inflammation and stress. It adheres to the circadian cycle of your body. After you go to bed, your cortisol levels fall, which causes inflammation to increase and makes you feel awful for three to five hours.

Lesser Distractions

When you are awake, various distractions may prevent you from concentrating on unpleasant symptoms. However, when you are trying to go to sleep, you can’t help but think about all the aches and pains that make your symptoms seem worse than they usually are.

Positioning

The mucus builds up in your sinuses and throat when you lie down to relax because of gravity. Hence, it can cause congestion or pressure in your sinuses, resulting in a headache or sinus pain.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the common cold is a viral infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory system. It is caused by various viruses, with rhinovirus being the most common culprit. The symptoms of a common cold typically appear gradually, one to three days after exposure, and may include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, mild body aches, headache, sneezing, low-grade fever, and feeling unwell. Most people recover from a common cold within seven to ten days, although some symptoms may persist for up to three weeks. It is important to note that a common cold does not require medical attention, as it is a self-limiting illness that usually goes away on its own.