Common cold

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
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Common cold
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, fever
Complications	Acute sinusitis, ear infection, asthma exacerbation
Onset	1–3 days after exposure
Duration	7–10 days
Types	N/A
Causes	Viral infection (commonly rhinovirus)
Risks	Close contact with infected individuals, cold weather, weakened immune system
Diagnosis	Based on symptoms
Differential diagnosis	Influenza, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis
Prevention	Hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals
Treatment	Rest, fluid intake, over-the-counter medication for symptom relief
Medication	Analgesics, antipyretics, decongestants
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Adults: 2–3 times per year; Children: 6–8 times per year
Deaths	Rare

Common Cold
ICD-10	J00.0
ICD-9	460
DiseasesDB	31088
MedlinePlus	000678
eMedicine	med/2339
MeSH ID	D003139

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 disease of the upper respiratory tract.

Nose in cold weather

The Common Cold (also known as nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza, or a cold) is an easily spread infectious disease of the upper respiratory system. It primarily affects the nose and throat. Common symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny nose (rhinorrhea), and fever. These symptoms typically last seven to ten days but can persist for up to three weeks. Over two hundred different viruses can cause the common cold, with rhinoviruses being the most common culprit.

Classification

Acute infections of the upper respiratory tract (URI or URTI) can be categorized based on the primarily affected areas. The common cold affects the nose, pharyngitis targets the throat, and sinusitis involves the sinuses. Symptoms result from the immune system's response to the infection, not from direct destruction by the viruses themselves. Hand washing is the primary means of preventing the common cold, and wearing face masks may also help.

Signs and Symptoms

The most frequent symptoms of a cold include:

• Cough
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Other symptoms may consist of muscle soreness, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite. Approximately 40% of individuals with colds experience a sore throat, while around 50% develop a cough. Muscle aches occur in about half of the cases. Fever is a relatively uncommon symptom in adults but is more prevalent in infants and young children. The cough caused by a cold is generally milder than one caused by the flu. A cough and fever in adults may indicate a higher likelihood of influenza.

Progression

A cold typically starts with fatigue, a sensation of being chilled, sneezing, and headache. Additional symptoms like a runny nose and cough follow within two or more days. Symptoms usually peak two to three days after the infection begins and end after seven to ten days. However, they can last up to three weeks. The cough persists for more than ten days in 35% to 40% of children's cases and for more than 25 days in 10% of children's cases.

Causes

The common cold is primarily caused by the rhinovirus, which accounts for 30% to 80% of all cases. Other viruses that can cause the common cold include the coronavirus, human parainfluenza viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and metapneumovirus. In total, over two hundred different viruses are associated with colds.

Transmission

The common cold virus is mainly spread through airborne droplets containing the virus or through contact with infected nasal mucus or contaminated objects. The viruses can survive for a long time in the environment, and transmission often occurs from the hands to the eyes or nose. Close proximity increases the risk of infection, with transmission being common in daycares and schools due to the closeness of many children with little immunity and often poor hygiene.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no cure for the common cold, but the symptoms can be treated. The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans, with the average person experiencing two to three colds per year and the average child having between six and twelve colds annually. These colds have affected humans for thousands of years.

Prevention

Preventative measures include frequent hand washing and, in some cases, wearing face masks.