Common cold

The common cold, also so-called simply as a cold, is the viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx. Signs & symptoms mayless than two days after exposure to the virus. These may put coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People ordinarily recover in seven to ten days, but some symptoms may last up to three weeks. Occasionally, those with other health problems may establishment pneumonia.

Well over 200 virus strains are implicated in causing the common cold, with rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses being the almost common. They spread through the air duringcontact with infected people or indirectly through contact with objects in the environment, followed by transfer to the mouth or nose. Risk factors increase going to child care facilities, not sleeping well, and psychological stress. The symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves. The symptoms of influenza are similar to those of a cold, although commonly more severe and less likely to include a runny nose.

There is no vaccine for the common cold. The primary methods of prevention are hand washing; non touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and staying away from sick people. Some evidence continues the use of face masks. There is also no cure, but the symptoms can be treated. Zinc may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms if started shortly after the onset of symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such(a) as ibuprofen may assist with pain. Antibiotics, however, should not be used, as any colds are caused by viruses, and there is no usefulness evidence that cough medicines are effective.

The common cold is the almost frequent infectious disease in humans. Under normal circumstances, the average adult gets two to three colds a year, while the average child may get six to eight. Infections arise more commonly during the winter. These infections make existed throughout human history.

Epidemiology

The common cold is the most common human disease and affects people any over the globe. Adults typically clear two to three infections annually, and children may have six to ten colds a year and up to twelve colds a year for school children. Rates of symptomatic infections increase in the elderly due to declining immunity.

Native Americans and Inuit are more likely to be infected with colds and defining complications such as otitis media than Caucasians. This may be explained as much by issues such as poverty and overcrowding as by ethnicity.