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Common cold is a common illness that occurs in every season, whether it is summer, rainy season, or winter. It is a common symptom in the clinic. Patients often come with symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, or fever.
Although a cold may seem like a common illness, complications can occur, often occurring after a recent recovery. Learn more about colds in this article.
Interesting facts about the common cold
- What causes the common cold?
- Symptoms of the flu
- How many days does it take to recover from a cold?
- Complications of the common cold
- How is the flu transmitted?
- Preventing others from catching a cold
- Treatment methods
- What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
What causes the common cold?
The common cold or flu is an acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that usually goes away on its own.
Most viruses that cause the common cold do not provide long-term immunity to the virus. In addition , there are many different serotypes of viruses, which means that people can get infected or re-infected frequently.
Symptoms of the flu
Initially, you can observe the symptoms that are often found , which are fever, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, throat irritation, sneezing, and coughing. Symptoms tend to be more severe in the first 3 days and subside on days 4-7. However, coughing and runny nose may last up to 10-14 days before disappearing on their own.
At first, the mucus is clear and runny because it is the body’s secretion to eliminate germs in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Later, when white blood cells eliminate the virus, the mucus becomes thicker or turns white or green.
Common symptoms of patients are runny nose, sore throat and cough. In children, fever is more common than in adults.
If you have shortness of breath or wheezing, this indicates a lower respiratory tract infection, see a doctor immediately. In the case of young children, if they eat less and are lethargic, this indicates dehydration, so see a doctor immediately.
– Dr. Narada Phirutwisut, a physician at Intouch Medical Clinic –
Read the article: What are the differences between the flu and the common cold?
How many days does it take to recover from a cold?
Most people recover within 7 days in adults and 10-14 days in children. Symptoms tend to be more severe in the first 3 days and improve by 4-7 days. However, cough and runny nose may persist for up to 10-14 days, after which they resolve on their own.
Otitis media
Since the Eustachian tube connects to the nasal cavity, if the nasal cavity membrane becomes swollen, this tube may become blocked, resulting in middle ear infection.
It is more common in young children because the pressure regulating tubes are more susceptible to infection.
Bacterial sinusitis and rhinosinusitis
It is a bacterial infection that follows a common cold. Symptoms include a cold lasting more than 10 days and a new fever.
The nasal mucus is purulent, has a smell, and is painful in the cheekbones or eyebrows.
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It occurs more frequently in children than adults and is caused by an infection that spreads to the lower respiratory tract.
It may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include shortness of breath, increased coughing. In young children, they may have labored breathing, a sunken chest, and flared nostrils.
Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are a possible complication of blowing your nose or wiping your nose for several days.
This results in capillaries bursting, causing the nasal mucosa to swell, become red and dry, leading to symptoms of nosebleeds.
How is the flu transmitted?
The flu is transmitted by the virus spreading through droplets of saliva and nasal mucus when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets spread to others through inhalation or these droplets may land on surfaces. When other people touch the droplets and then touch their nose, eyes, or mouth, they can also become infected.
Preventing others from catching a cold
Wear a mask when going out or meeting other people. For good hygiene, change the mask when it gets wet or dirty. After use, dispose of the mask in a covered bin.
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or your upper arm to prevent spreading germs to others and protect yourself from getting other germs.
Use tissue paper when blowing your nose and dispose of it immediately in a covered bin after using it. Blowing your nose into your hands is a behavior that should be avoided as it can cause hygiene problems and spread germs.
Wash your hands thoroughly after coughing/sneezing or after touching objects that may spread germs from the previous person, and dry them with tissue paper.
Hand washing is recommended with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (soap and water is preferred). Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to wash all parts of your body.
Avoid touching others, whether it’s shaking hands, greeting by kissing, or other social activities that may require contact with others, because sometimes our hands may be contaminated with droplets of germs from coughing or sneezing.
Eat with a serving spoon. Do not share water with people who have a cold. Before and after eating, wash your hands with soap and water. Do not use a serving spoon to put food directly into your mouth.
Treatment methods
Treatment of the common cold does not require antibiotics because it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Antibiotics do not make the cold go away any faster. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can increase the risk of side effects such as diarrhea, drug allergies, and the risk of drug resistance in the future.
Most symptoms resolve on their own within 5 to 7 days. Most medications are symptomatic. In the case of a cold caused by COVID-19 or the flu, antiviral medications may help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
Things that can help with colds include getting enough rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and in young children, using a mucus bulb or saline nasal irrigation. In adults and children over 1 year, honey can help relieve coughing and sore throats.
Most patients who have a common cold and take medication within the first 1-2 days often report that their symptoms do not improve on the third day. This is normal for a cold that gets worse on the third day and gradually improves on the fourth or fifth day. If there are no other symptoms indicating a bacterial infection, you can wait and see.
If symptoms persist after taking medication, consider using local medications, such as anti-inflammatory sprays sprayed directly into the throat or nasal drops to reduce runny nose.
– Dr. Narada Pirachwisut, a physician at Intouch Medical Clinic –
What symptoms should you see a doctor for?
- Shortness of breath , rapid breathing, and pectus excavatum (pectoral depression) in children
- I can’t eat. I feel very tired.
- Have had a fever for more than 4 days
- Have had cold symptoms for more than 10 days without improvement.
- A return of worsening symptoms, such as a new fever or increased coughing.
- Have earache, pain in the cheekbone or face.
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Narada Phiratwisut ,M.D.
General Practitioner
Last modified: 15/10/2024
The use of images is permitted without permission for educational or educational purposes only, with credit or attribution to intouchmedicare.com.
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