Nasopharyngitis

Nasopharyngitis (also known as the common cold) is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It primarily affects the nose, the throat (pharynx), and the sinuses. The symptoms include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and fever which usually resolve in seven to ten days, with some symptoms lasting up to three weeks.

Causes

Nasopharyngitis is primarily caused by viral infection. Over 200 virus strains are implicated in the cause of the common cold; the rhinoviruses are the most common. Transmission of these viruses is typically via airborne droplets, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or contaminated objects.

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. The color of the sputum or nasal secretion may vary from clear to yellow to green and does not indicate the class of agent causing the infection.

Treatment

There is no known cure for the common cold. The treatment involves relieving symptoms and aiding the immune response. Over-the-counter cold medications may help alleviate symptoms but they do not make the cold go away any faster. Antibiotics have no effect against viral infections or against the viruses that cause the common cold.

Prevention

Prevention is by washing hands regularly, not touching the face, and staying away from people who are sick. There is some evidence that wearing a surgical mask can prevent an infected person from spreading the virus.

See also

• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis

Nasopharyngitis Resources
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References

External links

• CDC - Common Cold and Runny Nose
• WHO - The Common Cold