Nasal congestion or abundant nasal secretions, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, cough, sneezing, fever, pressure in the ears or face and loss of taste or smell are symptoms of the common cold.
The symptoms of colds in children and adults are the same, with the mention that in children, due to an immature immune system compared to that of adults, the clinical manifestations may last longer (that’s why we say that “the cold is harder to pass”).
Learn more about super immunity. Why do some people get sick less often?
Also, it is not mandatory that all these symptoms appear within the same cold episode. While some people overcome the cold easily, experiencing for example a stuffy nose and cough, others acutely feel the symptoms of the cold, which are associated with more intense headaches, fever and general malaise.
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Causes of the common cold
The common cold is caused by viruses with respiratory tropismthat is, viruses that have an affinity for the respiratory tract (nose, pharynx, larynx, etc.).
Rhinovirus represents the most common etiological agent of the common cold. Rhinoviruses are part of the family Picornaviridae. More than 100 serotypes of rhinovirus have been identified and are recognized for their ability to survive and reproduce at lower temperatures, which is why rhinovirus infections are more common in the cold season.
Risk factors in the spread of viruses that cause colds
There are numerous factors that favor the spread of viruses, it being known that the transmission process depends on the infectivity of the pathogen, as well as the host’s immune response, human behavior and various environmental factors.
Most respiratory viruses are transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through droplets of secretion (cough, sneeze), aerosols or through infected surfaces. The factors that favor the spread of viruses are:
Closed, unventilated spaces Congested spaces Lack of hygienic and dietary measures – correct methods of protection during sneezing or coughing, insufficient hand or surface hygiene, improper storage of used materials such as napkins, handkerchiefs and others It is known that many viruses appear seasonally , and the environmental factors that influence their transmission are represented by climate changes, extreme temperatures, high humidity, fog, precipitation, pollution and air currents that spread these particles.
Permanent cold state
In medical practice, there is no specific medical diagnosis for a permanent cold. Usually, the common cold is a self-limiting medical condition which lasts between 7 and 10 days, therefore the cold is cured in 1-2 weeks. Sometimes, certain symptoms can persist longer, for example nasal congestion can last up to more than 2 weeks.
Infants and children of preschool and school age, immunodeficient people, those with pre-existing chronic upper respiratory diseases and smokers represent the categories of people with risk of developing recurrent colds throughout the yearhence the feeling that it is a permanent state of cold.
Keep in mind that recurrent or persistent cold-like symptoms also occur in the case of some allergies or others undiagnosed pre-existing medical conditions yet, so it is important to contact the doctor in situations where you notice that “the cold does not go away”.
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Cold symptoms
The viruses that determine the specific symptoms of the cold initially colonize the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and facial sinuses and cause the appearance of:
Watery nasal secretions (rhinorrhea) that can change their appearance and consistency after 2-3 days of disease progression Nasal congestion (stuffy nose) Sneezing Cough Acute angina (pain in the throat due to inflammation) Low-intensity fever Otalgia (inner ear pain ) Mild headaches Mild myalgias (muscle pains).
Commonly, the cold spontaneously resolves after an evolution of symptoms between 3 and 10 days, when this time interval is exceeded, it is indicated to see a doctor to rule out other infectious pathologies with a similar clinical picture.
How is the cold diagnosed?
The diagnosis of the common cold is established on the basis of the anamnesis and the clinical examination of the patient, which includes the examination of the pharynx and nasal passages (with the help of a nasal speculum).
During the anamnesis, the doctor will ask questions about the onset of symptoms, their specificity and/or history of respiratory infections, on a case-by-case basis.
At the doctor’s indication, other tests can be performed, for example a rapid flu test (flu symptoms being similar to colds), to rule out infection with flu viruses.
Cold treatment
There are no miracle solutions that we get rid of cold quickly. The treatment is symptomatic, which aims to improve the symptoms of the cold (e.g. by using nasal decongestants for stuffy noses), but it does not cure the cold. The body, by activating the immune system, is the one that removes the virus from the body. Coughing, nasal secretions are normal reactions by which the immune system tries to make the body an “unfriendly host”.
At the same time, there are no vaccines available for rhinovirus infections.
Non-drug therapy in the case of the common cold includes rest at home with maintaining an adequate intake of liquids and a diet that includes daily fresh fruits and vegetables.
The symptomatic medical treatment of colds is done with the help of decongestant nasal sprays or saline solution in the form of a nasal spray and analgesics to reduce fever and pain.
When do we treat the child’s cold at home?
Especially in the case of children, it is necessary to follow:
If they have a good general condition, they are not apathetic, they receive good nutrition (although during an illness the appetite can decrease) The symptoms they present are not “noisy”, they do not prevent their daily activity.
In these conditions, the child can be treated at home, otherwise contact the doctor as soon as possible for a specialist consultation, in order to prevent the unfavorable evolution of the disease and limit the disturbing symptoms.
In the case of newborns, very young infants, it is essential to keep in touch with the neonatologist/pediatrician and not to administer medication without his consent.
It should be noted that antibiotics are NOT administered in common colds (and in infections of viral etiology in general) because their mechanism of action is not effective against viral microorganisms. Antibiotic therapy can be administered to patients who have bacterial superinfection of a pathology of viral etiology, upon the doctor’s recommendation.
Learn about the difference between viral and bacterial infections
How do we prevent frequent colds?
The measures to prevent viral respiratory infections, implicitly the common cold, refer both to the decrease of viral contagion and to the strengthening of immunity, especially in children:
Decrease in viral contagion (of the ability to transmit viruses) is done by:
Avoiding closed and crowded spaces (e.g. malls) and contact with sick people Avoiding the transmission of viruses from sick people by using disposable handkerchiefs or, in their absence, by covering the nose and mouth with an item of clothing when coughing or sneeze Avoiding touching the nose, mouth, eyes with hands (which can be contaminated) Both sick and healthy people must wash their hands rigorously and frequently. Small children who do not yet know how to wash themselves will be washed by their parents. The rooms where the children stay (regardless of age, both at home and in the community) must be bright, ventilated and heated to 24-26 degrees C. The surfaces in nurseries, kindergartens, schools should be disinfected at least once a day Children who are infected must neither be brought nor received in the community.
Strengthening immunity is done by:
Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially citrus fruits, onions, garlic, currants, radish juice) and propolis and honey (for children, when age permits). Outdoor walks (for all ages). Morning gymnastics 10-15 minutes at 18-20 degrees C (when the age allows it). Food supplementation with vitamin C and vitamin D (at all ages). Administration of probiotics (at all ages).
Medicover specialists recommend that you carefully monitor children’s health during this period. Call for the isolation and treatment of the child from the first symptoms to the doctor’s indication. The re-introduction into the collective will be done after a minimum period of well-being after the virus to give the body time to recover. Observe the minimum preventive measures!
Do not hesitate to contact the doctor when you notice that the little one has a general bad condition and/or the symptoms do not improve with the administration of the treatment.
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2023-12-04 10:37:24
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