Common cold: Causes, symptoms and treatment
Common cold is often described as a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, or tearing. Though, colds are very common, they are more widespread in children and decline with age. Colds are rarely dangerous to healthy adults or children, but may seldom be dangerous to infants, the elderly or other at-risk groups.
The common cold is caused by a virus and is very contagious. About 200 different types of viruses are there that cause common cold. Most cases of the common cold are mild, and most people recover from the common cold without complications. But, sometime they can lead to more serious infections and complications in some cases.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of the common cold are low-grade fever, sneezing , watery eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and cough.
Diagnosis:
Correct diagnosis of a cold usually means distinguishing between cold and the more serious flu, There are also other conditions that start like a cold (e.g. rare but serious whooping cough) and numerous conditions that have cold-like symptoms or flu-like symptoms. Although there are numerous different subtypes of colds, diagnosis of the specific subtype of cold is rarely performed and not usually important for treatment.
There`s no cure for the common cold currently, but there are ways to protect you from getting it.
Alternative Treatments for Common cold
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed in various sources as possibly beneficial for Common cold may include:
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Zinc
• Echinacea
Common cold: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Common cold:
• Secondary bacterial infections
• Otitis media
• Sinus infections
• Earache
• Pneumonia
• Bronchopneumonia (type of Pneumonia)
• more complications...»
Causes of Common cold
• Human metapneumovirus
• Coronavirus 229E, Human
• Rhinovirus
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Adenovirus
.
Latest Treatments for Common cold
• Rest
• Fluids
• Humidified inspired air
• Saline nasal spray
• Topical decongestants
Prevention of Common cold
Prevention information for Common cold has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Common cold.
• Avoid exposure to people with colds
• Hand washing
• Avoid touching eyes or nose with your hands
• Cleaning with disinfectant - on surfaces that may be contagious.
Compiled by: Salome Phelamei
First Published: Wednesday, December 05, 2012, 16:09
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