Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

common cold

 

Viral infection of the upper and sometimes the lower respiratory tract. Symptoms, which are relatively mild, include sneezing, fatigue, sore throat, and stuffy or runny nose (but not fever); they usually last only a few days. About 200 different strains of virus can produce colds; they are spread by direct or indirect contact. The cold is the most common of all illnesses; the average person gets several every year. Incidence peaks in the fall. Treatment involves rest, adequate fluid intake, and over-the-counter remedies for the symptoms. Antibiotics do not combat the virus but may be given if secondary infections develop.

For more information on common cold, visit Britannica.com.

Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

Definition

The common cold, also called a rhinovirus or coronavirus infection, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, sinuses, eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. Over 200 different viruses can cause a cold. Almost all colds clear up in less than two weeks without complications.

Description

Cold season in the United States begins in early autumn and extends through early spring. Although it is not true that getting wet or being in a draft causes a cold (a person has to come in contact with the virus to catch a cold), certain conditions may lead to increased susceptibility. These include:

  • fatigue and overwork
  • emotional stress
  • poor nutrition
  • smoking
  • living or working in crowded conditions

Although most colds resolve on their own without complications, they are a leading cause of visits to the doctor and of time lost from work and school. Treating symptoms of the common cold has given rise in the United States to a multi-million dollar industry in over-the-counter medications.

Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infection. Secondary bacterial infection may lead to middle ear infection (otitis media), bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or strep throat. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop these complications.

Transmission

People with colds are contagious during the first two to four days of the infection. Colds pass from person to person in several ways. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, tiny fluid droplets containing the virus are expelled. If these are breathed in by other people, the virus may establish itself in their noses and airways.

Colds may also be passed through direct contact. If a person with a cold touches his runny nose or watery eyes, then shakes hands with another person, some of the virus is transferred to the uninfected person. If that person then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, the virus is transferred to an environment where it can reproduce and cause a cold.

In addition, cold viruses can be spread through inanimate objects (door knobs, telephones, toys) that become contaminated with the virus. This is a common method of transmission in childcare centers. If a child with a cold touches his runny nose, then plays with a toy, some of the virus may be transferred to the toy. When another child plays with the toy a short time later, he may pick up some of the virus on his hands. The second child then touches his contaminated hands to his eyes, nose, or mouth and transfers some of the cold virus to himself.

Demographics

Colds are the most common illness to strike any part of the body, with over one billion colds in the United States each year. Anyone can get a cold, although pre-school and grade school children catch them more frequently than adolescents and adults. Children average six to ten colds a year. In families with children in school, the number can be as high as 12 per year. Women, especially those aged 20 to 30 years old, have more colds than men, possibly because of their closer contact with children. Individuals older than 60 usually have fewer than one cold per year. Repeated exposure to viruses causing colds creates partial immunity.

Causes and Symptoms

Colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses. The most common groups are rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Different groups of viruses are more infectious at different seasons of the year, but knowing the exact virus causing the cold is not important in treatment.

Once acquired, the cold virus attaches itself to the lining of the nasal passages and sinuses. This condition causes the infected cells to release a chemical called histamine. Histamine increases the blood flow to the infected cells, causing swelling, congestion, and increased mucus production. Within one to three days the infected person begins to show cold symptoms.

The first cold symptoms are a tickle in the throat, runny nose, and sneezing. The initial discharge from the nose is clear and thin. Later it changes to a thick yellow or greenish discharge. Most adults do not develop a fever when they catch a cold. Young children may develop a low fever of up to 102°F (38.9°C).

In addition to a runny nose and fever, signs of a cold include coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, headache, muscle ache, chills, sore throat, hoarseness, watery eyes, tiredness, and lack of appetite. The cough that accompanies a cold is usually intermittent and dry.

Most people begin to feel better four to five days after their cold symptoms become noticeable. All symptoms are generally gone within ten days, except for a dry cough that may linger for up to three weeks.

When to Call the Doctor

Colds make people more susceptible to bacterial infections such as strep throat, middle ear infections, and sinus infections. People who have colds that do not begin to improve within a week or who experience chest pain, fever for more than a few days, difficulty breathing, bluish lips or fingernails, a cough that brings up greenish-yellow or grayish sputum, skin rash, swollen glands, or whitish spots on the tonsils or throat should consult a doctor to see to determine if they have acquired a secondary bacterial infection that needs to be treated with an antibiotic.

Children who have chronic lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system—either from diseases such as AIDS or leukemia or as the result of medications, (corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs)—should consult their doctor if they get a cold. Children with these health problems are more likely to get a secondary infection. For children with asthma, colds are a common trigger of asthma symptoms.

Diagnosis

Colds are diagnosed by observing a child's symptoms. There are no laboratory tests as of 2004 for detecting the cold virus. However, a doctor may do a throat culture or blood test to rule out a secondary infection.

Influenza is sometimes confused with a cold, but flu causes much more severe symptoms, as well as a fever. Allergies to molds or pollens also can make the nose run. Allergies are usually more persistent than the common cold. An allergist can do tests to determine if the cold-like symptoms are being caused by an allergic reaction. Also, some people get a runny nose when they go outside in winter and breathe cold air. This type of runny nose is not a symptom of a cold.

Treatment

There are no medicines that will cure the common cold. Given time, the body's immune system makes antibodies to fight the infection, and the cold is resolved without any intervention. Antibiotics are useless against a cold. However, there are many products that have been developed by pharmaceutical companies in the United States designed to relieve cold symptoms. These products usually contain antihistamines, decongestants, and/or pain relievers.

Antihistamines block the action of the chemical histamine that is produced when the cold virus invades the cells lining the nasal passages. Histamine increases blood flow and causes the cells to swell. Antihistamines are taken to relieve the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. Side effects are dry mouth and drowsiness, especially with the first few doses. Antihistamines should not be taken by people who are driving or operating dangerous equipment. Some people have allergic reactions to antihistamines. Common over-the-counter antihistamines are Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Tavist, and Actifed. The generic name for two common antihistamines are chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine.

Decongestants work to constrict the blood flow to the vessels in the nose. They can shrink the tissue, reduce congestion, and open inflamed nasal passages, making breathing easier. Decongestants can make people feel jittery or keep them from sleeping. They should not be used by people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or glaucoma. Some common decongestants are Neo-Synepherine, Novafed, and Sudafed. The generic names of common decongestants include phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, and in nasal sprays naphazoline, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline.

Many over-the-counter medications are combinations of both antihistamines and decongestants; an ache and pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Datril, Tylenol, Panadol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, Medipren); and a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan). Common combination medications include Tylenol Cold and Flu, Triaminic, Sudafed Plus, and Tavist D. Aspirin should not be given to children with a cold because of its association with a risk of Reye's syndrome.

Nasal sprays and nose drops are other products promoted for reducing nasal congestion. These usually contain a decongestant, but the decongestant in the nasal preparations can act more quickly and strongly than ones found in pills or liquids because it is applied directly in the nose. Congestion returns after a few hours. People can become dependent on nasal sprays and nose drops. If used for a long time, users may suffer withdrawal symptoms when these products are discontinued. The label on the preparation should be checked for recommendations on length and frequency of use, since nasal sprays and nose drops should not be used for more than a few days.

People react differently to different cold medications and may find some more helpful than others. A medication may be effective initially then lose some of its effectiveness. Children sometimes react differently than adults. Over-the-counter cold remedies should not be given to infants without consulting a doctor first.

Care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dosages, especially when combination medications or nasal sprays are taken. These medicines do not shorten or cure a cold; at best they can only help a person feel more comfortable.

In addition to the optional use of over-the-counter cold remedies, there are some self-care steps that can be taken to ease discomfort. These include:

  • drinking plenty of fluids, but avoiding acidic juices, which may irritate the throat
  • gargling with warm salt water—made by adding one teaspoon of salt to 8 oz of water—for a sore throat
  • avoiding second-hand smoke
  • getting plenty of rest
  • using a cool-mist room humidifier to ease congestion and sore throat
  • rubbing Vaseline or other lubricant under the nose to prevent irritation from frequent nose blowing
  • for babies too young to blow their noses, the mucus should be suctioned gently with an infant nasal aspirator (It may be necessary to soften the mucus first with a few drops of salt water.)

Alternative Treatment

Alternative practitioners emphasize that people get colds because their immune systems are weak. They point out that everyone is exposed to cold viruses, but not everyone gets every cold. The difference seems to be in the ability of the immune system to fight infection. Prevention focuses on strengthening the immune system by eating a healthy diet low in sugars and high in fresh fruits and vegetables, practicing meditation or using other means to reduce stress, and getting regular moderate exercise.

Once cold symptoms appear, some naturopathic practitioners believe the symptoms should be allowed to run their course without interference. Others suggest the following:

  • Aromatherapy remedy: Inhaling a steaming mixture of lemon oil, thyme oil, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.).
  • Ayurvedic medicinal remedy: Gargling with a mixture of water, salt, and turmeric powder or astringents, such as alum, sumac, sage, and bayberry to ease a sore throat.
  • Herbal remedies: Taking coneflower (Echinacea spp.) or goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Other useful herbs to reduce symptoms are yarrow (Achillea millefolium), eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), garlic (Allium sativum), and onions (Allium cepa).
  • Homeopathic remedies: Microdoses of Viscue album, Natrum muriaticum, Allium cepa, or Nux vomica.
  • Chinese traditional medicinal remedies: Taking yin chiao (sometimes transliterated as yinquiao) tablets that contain honeysuckle and forsythia when symptoms appear as well as using natural herb loquat syrup for cough and sinus congestion.
  • Nutritional therapy: The use of zinc lozenges every two hours along with high doses of vitamin C as well as eliminating dairy products for the duration of the cold.

Prognosis

Given time, the body produces antibodies to cure itself of a cold. Most colds last a week to ten days. Most people start feeling better within four or five days. Occasionally a cold will lead to a secondary bacterial infection that causes strep throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infection, or a middle ear infection. These conditions usually clear up rapidly when treated with an antibiotic.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent colds because the viruses that cause colds are common and highly infectious. However, there are some steps individuals can take to reduce their spread. These include:

  • washing hands well and frequently, especially after touching the nose or before handling food
  • using instant hand sanitizers, which are antiseptics and not antibiotics
  • covering the mouth and nose when sneezing
  • disposing of used tissues properly
  • avoiding close contact with someone who has a cold during the first two to four days of their infection
  • not sharing food, eating utensils, or cups
  • using paper towels rather than shared cloth towels
  • avoiding crowded places where cold germs can spread
  • eating a healthy diet and getting adequate sleep
  • using a daycare facility with six or fewer children, to dramatically reduce germ contact

Parental Concerns

The over-use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant stains of bacteria. For these bacteria, antibiotics may be ineffective. Therefore, parents should not press the doctor to prescribe antibiotics when their children only have a cold.

Also, a parent should not give a child aspirin during a cold, because aspirin has been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome in children recovering from viral illnesses, especially influenza (flu) or chickenpox. Reye's syndrome can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Resources

Books

Royston, Angela. Colds (It's Catching) Oxford, UK: Heinemann Library, 2001.

Silverstein, Alvin. Common Colds. Minneapolis, MN: Sagebrush Corp., 2001.

[Article by: Judith Sims Tish Davidson, A.M.]



Columbia Encyclopedia:

common cold

Top
cold, common, acute viral infection of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, often involving the sinuses. The typical sore throat, sneezing, and fatigue may be accompanied by body aches, headache, low fever, and chills. The congested and discharging mucous membrane may become a fertile ground for a secondary bacterial invasion that can spread to the larynx, bronchi, lungs, or ears. Uncomplicated infections usually last from three to ten days.

The cold is the most common human ailment. Most adult Americans suffer from one to four colds per year, but children ages one to five-who are the most susceptible-typically may contract as many as eight. Colds are spread by respiratory droplets or by contaminated hands or objects. Although the incidence of colds is higher in winter, exposure to chilling or dampness is considered to be of little significance.

Any one of up to 200 viruses (such as the rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, or respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]) can cause colds, to which it seems almost no one is immune. Infection with a viral strain confers only temporary immunity to that strain. Colds in infants and young children caused by RSV can progress to pneumonia and other complications, especially in those under a year old who were born prematurely or have chronic lung disease; RSV causes an estimated 4,500 deaths yearly in these groups in the United States.

Treatment for the common cold aims at relieving symptoms and keeping the body well-rested, -fed, and -hydrated. Because of the growing problem of drug resistance, doctors are discouraged from prescribing antibiotics (which do not affect viruses) for colds unless secondary bacterial infection makes them necessary. There is some evidence that zinc preparations, when taken within 24 hours of the first cold symptoms, can shorten the duration and moderate the symptoms of an infection, but there is no convincing evidence that vitamin C megadoses can prevent the common cold.

Researchers have reported reduction or prevention of cold symptoms in human tests of an experimental drug against rhinoviruses, which cause nearly half of all colds. The drug acts by imitating a molecule in the body called ICAM-1, to which the rhinovirus attaches to produce colds. As rhinoviruses attach to the decoy molecules instead, the likelihood or severity of infection is decreased.


Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'common cold'

Top
Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to common cold, see:

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Common cold

Top
Common Cold
Classification and external resources

A representation of the molecular surface of one variant of human rhinovirus.
ICD-10 J00.0
ICD-9 460
DiseasesDB 31088
MedlinePlus 000678
eMedicine med/2339
MeSH D003139

The common cold (also known as nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza, or a cold) is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system which affects primarily the nose. Symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever which usually resolve in seven to ten days, with some symptoms lasting up to three weeks. Well over 200 viruses are implicated in the cause of the common cold; the rhinoviruses are the most common.

Upper respiratory tract infections are loosely divided by the areas they affect, with the common cold primarily affecting the nose, pharyngitis the throat, and sinusitis the sinuses. Symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves. The primary method of prevention is by hand washing with some evidence to support the effectiveness of wearing face masks.

There is no cure for the common cold but the symptoms can be treated. It is the most frequent infectious disease in humans with the average adult contracting two to three colds a year and the average child contracting between six and twelve. These infections have been with humanity since antiquity.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

The typical symptoms of a cold include cough, runny nose, nasal congestion and a sore throat, sometimes accompanied by muscle ache, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite.[1] A sore throat is present in about 40% of the cases and a cough in about 50%,[2] while muscle ache occurs in about half.[3] In adults, a fever is generally not present but it is common in infants and young children.[3] The cough is usually mild compared to that accompanying influenza.[3] While a cough and a fever indicate a higher likelihood of influenza in adults, there is a great deal of similarity between these two conditions.[4] A number of the viruses that cause the common cold may also result in asymptomatic infections.[5][6] The color of the sputum or nasal secretion may vary from clear to yellow to green and does not predict the class of agent causing the infection.[7]

Progression

A cold usually begins with fatigue, a feeling of being chilled, sneezing and a headache, followed in a couple of days by a runny nose and cough.[1] Symptoms typically peak two to three days after infection onset,[3] and usually resolve in seven to ten days but some can last for up to three weeks.[8] In children, the cough lasts for more than ten days in 35–40% of the cases and continues for more than 25 days in 10%.[9]

Cause

Viruses

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses known for causing the common cold. They have a halo, or crown-like (corona) appearance when viewed under an electron microscope.

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The most commonly implicated virus is a rhinovirus (30–80%), a type of picornavirus with 99 known serotypes.[10][11] Others include: coronavirus (10–15%), influenza (5–15%),[3] human parainfluenza viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and metapneumovirus.[12] Frequently more than one virus is present.[13] In total over 200 different viral types are associated with colds.[3]

Transmission

The common cold virus is typically transmitted either via airborne droplets or contact with infected nasal secretions or other contaminated objects.[2][14] Which of these routes is of primary importance has not been determined.[15] The viruses may survive for prolonged periods in the environment and can be picked up by people's hands and subsequently carried to their eyes or nose where infection occurs.[14] Transmission is common in daycare and at school due to the close proximity of many children with little immunity and frequently poor hygiene.[16] These infections are then brought home to other members of the family.[16] There is no evidence that recirculated air during commercial flight is a method of transmission.[14] However, people sitting in close proximity appear at greater risk.[15] Rhinovirus-caused colds are most infectious during the first three days of symptoms; they are much less infectious afterwards.[17]

Weather

The traditional folk theory is that a cold can be "caught" by prolonged exposure to cold weather such as rain or winter conditions, which is how the disease got its name.[18] The role of body cooling as a risk factor for the common cold is controversial.[19] Some of the viruses that cause the common colds are seasonal, occurring more frequently during cold or wet weather.[20] Some believe this to be due primarily to increased time spent indoors in close proximity;[21] specifically children returning to school.[16] However, it may also be related to changes in the respiratory system that result in greater susceptibility.[22] Low humidity increases viral transmission rates potentially due to dry air allowing small viral droplets to disperse farther and stay in the air longer.[23]

Other

Herd immunity, generated from previous exposure to cold viruses, plays an important role in limiting viral spread, as seen with younger populations that have greater rates of respiratory infections.[24] Poor immune function is also a risk factor for disease.[24][25] Insufficient sleep and malnutrition have been associated with a greater risk of developing infection following rhinovirus exposure; this is believed to be due to their effects on immune function.[26][27]

Pathophysiology

The common cold is a disease of the upper respiratory tract.

The symptoms of the common cold are believed to be primarily related to the immune response to the virus.[28] The mechanism of this immune response is virus specific. For example, the rhinovirus is typically acquired by direct contact; it binds to human ICAM-1 receptors through unknown mechanisms to trigger the release of inflammatory mediators.[28] These inflammatory mediators then produce the symptoms.[28] It does not generally cause damage to the nasal epithelium.[3] The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the other hand is contacted by both direct contact and air born droplets. It then replicates in the nose and throat before frequently spreading to the lower respiratory tract.[29] RSV does cause epithelium damage.[29] Human parainfluenza virus typically results in inflammation of the nose, throat, and bronchi.[30] In young children when it affects the trachea it may produce the symptoms of croup due to the small size of their airway.[30]

Diagnosis

The distinction between different viral upper respiratory tract infections is loosely based on the location of symptoms with the common cold affecting primarily the nose, pharyngitis the throat, and bronchitis the lungs.[2] There however can be significant overlap and multiple areas can be affected.[2] The common cold is frequently defined as nasal inflammation with varying amount of throat inflammation.[31] Self diagnosis is frequent.[3] Isolation of the actual viral agent involved is rarely performed,[31] and it is generally not possible to identify the virus type through symptoms.[3]

Prevention

Physical measure to prevent the spread of cold viruses has been deemed the only potentially effective measure for prevention.[32] These measures include primarily hand washing and face masks; in the health care environment, gowns and disposable gloves are also used.[32] Efforts such as quarantine are not possible as the disease is so widespread and symptoms are non-specific. Vaccination has proved difficult as there are so many viruses involved and they change rapidly.[32] Creation of a broadly effective vaccine is thus highly improbable.[33]

Regular hand washing appears to be effective at reducing the transmission of cold viruses especially among children.[34] Whether the addition of antivirals or antibacterials to normal hand washing provides greater benefit is unknown.[34] Wearing face masks when around people who are infected may be beneficial; however, there is insufficient evidence for maintaining a greater social distance.[34] Zinc supplementation may be effective at decreasing the rate of colds.[35] Routine vitamin C supplementation does not reduce the risk or severity of the common cold, though it may reduce its duration.[36]

Management

Poster encouraging citizens to "Consult your Physician" for treatment of the common cold

There are currently no medications or herbal remedies which have been conclusively demonstrated to shorten the duration of infection.[37] Treatment thus comprises symptomatic relief.[38] Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to maintain hydration, and gargling with warm salt water, are reasonable conservative measures.[12] Much of the benefit from treatment is however attributed to the placebo effect.[39]

Symptomatic

Treatments that help alleviate symptoms include simple analgesics and antipyretics such as ibuprofen[40] and acetaminophen/paracetamol.[41] Evidence does not show that cough medicines are any more effective than simple analgesics[42] and they are not recommended for use in children due to a lack of evidence supporting effectiveness and the potential for harm.[43][44] Canada in 2009 restricted the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medication in children 6 years and under due to concerns regarding risks and unproven benefits.[43] The misuse of dextromethorphan (an over-the-counter cough medicine) has lead to its ban in a number of countries.[45]

In adults the symptoms of a runny nose can be reduced by first generation antihistamines; however, they are associated with adverse effects such as drowsiness.[38] Other decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are also effective in this population.[46] Ipratropium nasal spray may reduce the symptoms of a runny nose but there is little effect on stuffiness.[47] Second-generation antihistamines however do not appear to be effective.[48]

Due to lack of studies, it is not known whether increased fluid intake improves symptoms or shortens respiratory illness[49] and a similar lack of data exists for the use of heated humidified air.[50] One study has found chest vapor rub to be effective at providing some symptomatic relief of nocturnal cough, congestion, and sleep difficulty.[51]

Antibiotics and antivirals

Antibiotics have no effect against viral infections and thus have no effect against the viruses that cause the common cold.[52] Due to their side effects they cause overall harm; however, they are still frequently prescribed.[52][53] Some of the reasons that antibiotics are so commonly prescribed include: people's expectations for them, physicians' desire to do something, and the difficulty in excluding complications that may be amenable to antibiotics.[54] There are no effective antiviral drugs for the common cold even though some preliminary research has shown benefit.[38][55]

Alternative treatments

While there are many alternative treatments used for the common cold, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of most.[38] As of 2010 there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against either honey or nasal irrigation.[56][57] Zinc supplements may somewhat reduce the severity and duration of symptoms when taken within 24 hours of their onset.[35] Vitamin C's effect on the common cold while extensively researched is disappointing, except in limited circumstances, specifically, individuals exercising vigorously in cold environments.[36][58] Evidence about the usefulness of echinacea is inconsistent.[59][60] Different types of echinacea supplements may vary in their effectiveness.[59]

Prognosis

The common cold is generally mild and self-limiting with most symptoms generally improving in a week.[2] Severe complications, if they occur, are usually in the very old, the very young or those who are immunosuppressed.[61] Secondary bacterial infections may occur resulting in sinusitis, pharyngitis, or an ear infection.[62] It is estimated that sinusitis occurs in 8% and an ear infection in 30% of cases.[63]

Epidemiology

The common cold is the most common human disease[61] and all peoples globally are affected.[16] Adults typically have two to five infections annually[2][3] and children may have six to ten colds a year (and up to twelve colds a year for school children).[38] Rates of symptomatic infections increase in the elderly due to a worsening immune system.[24]

History

While the cause of the common cold has only been identified since the 1950s the disease has been with humanity since antiquity.[64] Its symptoms and treatment are described in the Egyptian Ebers papyrus, the oldest existing medical text, written before the 16th century BCE.[65] The name "common cold" came into use in the 16th century, due to the similarity between its symptoms and those of exposure to cold weather.[66]

In the United Kingdom, the Common Cold Unit was set up by the Medical Research Council in 1946 and it was here that the rhinovirus was discovered in 1956.[67] In the 1970s, the CCU demonstrated that treatment with interferon during the incubation phase of rhinovirus infection protects somewhat against the disease,[68] but no practical treatment could be developed. The unit was closed in 1989, two years after it completed research of zinc gluconate lozenges in the prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds, the only successful treatment in the history of the unit.[69]

Economic impact

A British poster from World War II describing the cost of the common cold[70]

The economic impact of the common cold is poorly understood in much of the world.[71] In the United States, the common cold leads to 75–100 million physician visits annually at a conservative cost estimate of $7.7 billion per year. Americans spend $2.9 billion on over-the-counter drugs and another $400 million on prescription medicines for symptomatic relief.[72] More than one-third of people who saw a doctor received an antibiotic prescription, which has implications for antibiotic resistance.[72] An estimated 22–189 million school days are missed annually due to a cold. As a result, parents missed 126 million workdays to stay home to care for their children. When added to the 150 million workdays missed by employees suffering from a cold, the total economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion per year.[12][72] This accounts for 40% of time lost from work in the United States.[73]

Research

A number of antivirals have been tested for effectiveness in the common cold; however as of 2009 none have been both found effective and licensed for use.[74] There are ongoing trials of the anti-viral drug pleconaril which shows promise against picornaviruses as well as trials of BTA-798.[75] The oral form of pleconaril had safety issues and an aerosol form is being studied.[75]

Researchers from University of Maryland, College Park and University of Wisconsin–Madison have mapped the genome for all known virus strains that cause the common cold.[76]

References

  1. ^ a b Eccles Pg. 24
  2. ^ a b c d e f Arroll, B (2011 Mar 16). "Common cold.". Clinical evidence 2011 (03). PMID 21406124. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Eccles R (November 2005). "Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza". Lancet Infect Dis 5 (11): 718–25. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X. PMID 16253889. http://ndmat.hosp.ncku.edu.tw:8080/%E5%85%92%E7%A7%91/Feb-27.pdf. 
  4. ^ Eccles Pg.26
  5. ^ Eccles Pg. 129
  6. ^ Eccles Pg.50
  7. ^ Eccles Pg.30
  8. ^ Heikkinen T, Järvinen A (January 2003). "The common cold". Lancet 361 (9351): 51–9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12162-9. PMID 12517470. 
  9. ^ Goldsobel AB, Chipps BE (March 2010). "Cough in the pediatric population". J. Pediatr. 156 (3): 352–358.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.12.004. PMID 20176183. 
  10. ^ Palmenberg, A. C.; Spiro, D; Kuzmickas, R; Wang, S; Djikeng, A; Rathe, JA; Fraser-Liggett, CM; Liggett, SB (2009). "Sequencing and Analyses of All Known Human Rhinovirus Genomes Reveals Structure and Evolution". Science 324 (5923): 55–9. doi:10.1126/science.1165557. PMID 19213880. 
  11. ^ Eccles Pg.77
  12. ^ a b c "Common Cold". National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 27 November 2006. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/colds/. Retrieved 11 June 2007. 
  13. ^ Eccles Pg.107
  14. ^ a b c editors, Ronald Eccles, Olaf Weber, (2009). Common cold (Online-Ausg. ed.). Basel: Birkhäuser. pp. 197. ISBN 9783764398941. http://books.google.ca/books?id=rRIdiGE42IEC&pg=PA197. 
  15. ^ a b Eccles Pg.211
  16. ^ a b c d al.], edited by Arie J. Zuckerman ... [et (2007). Principles and practice of clinical virology (6th ed. ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. pp. 496. ISBN 9780470517994. http://books.google.ca/books?id=OgbcUWpUCXsC&pg=PA496. 
  17. ^ Gwaltney JM Jr, Halstead SB. "Contagiousness of the common cold".  Invited letter in "Questions and answers". Journal of the American Medical Association 278 (3): 256–257. 16 July 1997. http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/278/3/256. Retrieved 16 September 2011. 
  18. ^ Zuger, Abigail (4 March 2003). "'You'll Catch Your Death!' An Old Wives' Tale? Well...". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E1DD163FF937A35750C0A9659C8B63. 
  19. ^ Mourtzoukou, EG; Falagas, ME (2007 Sep). "Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections.". The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 11 (9): 938–43. PMID 17705968. 
  20. ^ Eccles Pg.79
  21. ^ Eccles Pg.80
  22. ^ Eccles Pg.80
  23. ^ Eccles Pg. 157
  24. ^ a b c Eccles Pg. 78
  25. ^ Eccles Pg.166
  26. ^ Cohen S, Doyle WJ, Alper CM, Janicki-Deverts D, Turner RB (January 2009). "Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common Cold". Arch. Intern. Med. 169 (1): 62–7. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.505. PMC 2629403. PMID 19139325. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2629403. 
  27. ^ Eccles Pg.160–165
  28. ^ a b c Eccles Pg. 112
  29. ^ a b Eccles Pg.116
  30. ^ a b Eccles Pg.122
  31. ^ a b Eccles Pg. 51–52
  32. ^ a b c Eccles Pg.209
  33. ^ Lawrence DM (May 2009). "Gene studies shed light on rhinovirus diversity". Lancet Infect Dis 9 (5): 278. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(09)70123-9. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099%2809%2970123-9. 
  34. ^ a b c Jefferson, T; Del Mar, CB, Dooley, L, Ferroni, E, Al-Ansary, LA, Bawazeer, GA, van Driel, ML, Nair, S, Jones, MA, Thorning, S, Conly, JM (2011 Jul 6). "Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (7): CD006207. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub4. PMID 21735402. 
  35. ^ a b Singh, M; Das, RR (2011 Feb 16). "Zinc for the common cold.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (2): CD001364. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub3. PMID 21328251. 
  36. ^ a b Hemilä, Harri; Chalker, Elizabeth; Douglas, Bob; Hemilä, Harri (2007). Hemilä, Harri. ed. "Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (3): CD000980. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub3. PMID 17636648. 
  37. ^ "Common Cold: Treatments and Drugs". Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-cold/DS00056/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs. Retrieved 9 January 2010. 
  38. ^ a b c d e Simasek M, Blandino DA (2007). "Treatment of the common cold". American Family Physician 75 (4): 515–20. PMID 17323712. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20070215/515.html. 
  39. ^ Eccles Pg.261
  40. ^ Kim SY, Chang YJ, Cho HM, Hwang YW, Moon YS (2009). Kim, Soo Young. ed. "Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the common cold". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD006362. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006362.pub2. PMID 19588387. 
  41. ^ Eccles R (2006). "Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics in the treatment of common cold and flu". Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 31 (4): 309–319. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2710.2006.00754.x. PMID 16882099. 
  42. ^ Smith SM, Schroeder K, Fahey T (2008). Smith, Susan M. ed. "Over-the-counter medications for acute cough in children and adults in ambulatory settings". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD001831. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001831.pub3. PMID 18253996. 
  43. ^ a b Shefrin AE, Goldman RD (November 2009). "Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children". Can Fam Physician 55 (11): 1081–3. PMC 2776795. PMID 19910592. http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/11/1081.full. 
  44. ^ Vassilev, ZP; Kabadi, S, Villa, R (2010 Mar). "Safety and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for use in children.". Expert opinion on drug safety 9 (2): 233–42. doi:10.1517/14740330903496410. PMID 20001764. 
  45. ^ Eccles Pg. 246
  46. ^ Taverner D, Latte J (2007). Latte, G. Jenny. ed. "Nasal decongestants for the common cold". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD001953. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001953.pub3. PMID 17253470. 
  47. ^ Albalawi, ZH; Othman, SS, Alfaleh, K (2011 Jul 6). "Intranasal ipratropium bromide for the common cold.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (7): CD008231. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008231.pub2. PMID 21735425. 
  48. ^ Pratter, MR (2006 Jan). "Cough and the common cold: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.". Chest 129 (1 Suppl): 72S-74S. doi:10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.72S. PMID 16428695. 
  49. ^ Guppy, MP; Mickan, SM, Del Mar, CB, Thorning, S, Rack, A (2011 Feb 16). "Advising patients to increase fluid intake for treating acute respiratory infections.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (2): CD004419. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004419.pub3. PMID 21328268. 
  50. ^ Singh, M; Singh, M (2011 May 11). "Heated, humidified air for the common cold.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (5): CD001728. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001728.pub4. PMID 21563130. 
  51. ^ Paul IM, Beiler JS, King TS, Clapp ER, Vallati J, Berlin CM (December 2010). "Vapor rub, petrolatum, and no treatment for children with nocturnal cough and cold symptoms". Pediatrics 126 (6): 1092–9. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1601. PMID 21059712. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/peds.2010-1601v1. 
  52. ^ a b Arroll B, Kenealy T (2005). Arroll, Bruce. ed. "Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD000247. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000247.pub2. PMID 16034850. 
  53. ^ Eccles Pg.238
  54. ^ Eccles Pg.234
  55. ^ Eccles Pg.218
  56. ^ Oduwole, O; Meremikwu, MM, Oyo-Ita, A, Udoh, EE (2010 Jan 20). "Honey for acute cough in children.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (1): CD007094. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub2. PMID 20091616. 
  57. ^ Kassel, JC; King, D, Spurling, GK (2010 Mar 17). "Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (3): CD006821. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006821.pub2. PMID 20238351. 
  58. ^ Heiner, Kathryn A; Hart, Ann Marie; Martin, Linda Gore; Rubio-Wallace, Sherrie (2009). "Examining the evidence for the use of vitamin C in the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold". Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 21 (5): 295–300. doi:10.1111/j.1745-7599.2009.00409.x. PMID 19432914. 
  59. ^ a b Linde K, Barrett B, Wölkart K, Bauer R, Melchart D (2006). Linde, Klaus. ed. "Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD000530. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub2. PMID 16437427. 
  60. ^ Sachin A Shah, Stephen Sander, C Michael White, Mike Rinaldi, Craig I Coleman (2007). "Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis". The Lancet Infectious Diseases 7 (7): 473–480. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3. PMID 17597571. 
  61. ^ a b Eccles Pg. 1
  62. ^ Eccles Pg.76
  63. ^ Eccles Pg.90
  64. ^ Eccles Pg. 3
  65. ^ Eccles Pg.6
  66. ^ "Cold". Online Etymology Dictionary. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cold. Retrieved 12 January 2008. 
  67. ^ Eccles Pg.20
  68. ^ Tyrrell DA (1987). "Interferons and their clinical value". Rev. Infect. Dis. 9 (2): 243–9. doi:10.1093/clinids/9.2.243. PMID 2438740. 
  69. ^ Al-Nakib, W; Higgins, PG; Barrow, I; Batstone, G; Tyrrell, DA (December 1987). "Prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds with zinc gluconate lozenges". J Antimicrob Chemother. 20 (6): 893–901. doi:10.1093/jac/20.6.893. PMID 3440773. 
  70. ^ "The Cost of the Common Cold and Influenza". Imperial War Museum: Posters of Conflict. vads. http://vads.bath.ac.uk/flarge.php?uid=33443&sos=0. 
  71. ^ Eccles Pg.90
  72. ^ a b c Fendrick AM, Monto AS, Nightengale B, Sarnes M (2003). "The economic burden of non-influenza-related viral respiratory tract infection in the United States". Arch. Intern. Med. 163 (4): 487–94. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.4.487. PMID 12588210. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/163/4/487. 
  73. ^ Kirkpatrick GL (December 1996). "The common cold". Prim. Care 23 (4): 657–75. doi:10.1016/S0095-4543(05)70355-9. PMID 8890137. 
  74. ^ Eccles Pg.218
  75. ^ a b Eccles Pg.226
  76. ^ "Genetic map of cold virus a step toward cure, scientists say". Val Willingham (CNN). March 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/cold.genome/. Retrieved 28 April 2009. 
References

External links


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 1994-2012 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
$copyright.smallImage.alttext Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health. © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
Random House Word Menu. © 2010 Write Brothers Inc. Word Menu is a registered trademark of the Estate of Stephen Glazier. Write Brothers Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Common cold Read more

Follow us
Facebook Twitter
YouTube