Health Hint 205, by Kristen Dotson
The common cold is an infection of your nose, sinuses, throat and windpipe. Colds spread easily, especially within homes, classrooms and workplaces. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds. The most common cold virus is the rhinovirus. There’s no cure for a common cold, but it usually goes away within a week to 10 days. If you don’t feel better in 10 days, see a healthcare provider.
We call colds “common” because as their name implies, they’re widespread. You’ll probably have more colds in your lifetime than any other illness. Adults catch two to three colds a year, while young children come down with a cold four or more times a year.
Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. The symptoms may also include runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, cough and/or hoarseness. Symptoms usually worsen or peak around days 4-7. Days 8-10 colds usually tend to wind down.
Colds spread easily from person to person. For you to become infected, the virus has to get to one of your mucous membranes — the moist lining of your nostrils, eyes or mouth. That happens when you touch a surface or breathe moist air that contains the cold virus.
There are many over the counter common cold medication options available to treat your symptoms. But some of these medications aren’t safe for children. Check with a healthcare provider before giving your child over the counter medications. Be careful not to combine medicines that treat multiple symptoms. You could get too much of some ingredients, which could cause other health problems, including organ damage, for example, acetaminophen/Tylenol.
Good hand washing, cleaning surfaces, eating a healthy diet and exercising, and staying home if you are ill all help prevent colds from spreading.
