Your Health -   A to Z of Common Medical Conditions

Common Cold (Coryza)

Description - Also known as “a head cold”. This is extremely common. It is a virus infection that can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. It is highly contagious, spread by droplets from the aerosol effect of coughing and sneezing or simply by close contact with another person. Many viruses have been implicated and the time elapsing between contact and developing the condition may only be a day or two. The symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough and generally feeling a bit unwell. Many people, at this stage, will say that they “have the ‘flu”. Influenza, however, is a much more serious matter, far more prostrating, and the person who says “ I had the ‘flu but worked through it” almost certainly had a cold. The infection is, generally, mild and lasts about a week. It can, however, be more serious for babies (they have narrower airways) and people with existing respiratory problems.

Management - The common cold is a virus infection and, apart from its symptoms, not treatable. There is little point, therefore, in the fit adult going to the doctor with it, though millions do. The main management is to keep it to yourself. Do not go to work or school (or the cinema or the pub!) during the acute stage. You will only spread it to others. Plenty of fluids, rest, mild analgesics such as paracetamol will help, so may proprietary cough medicine. Take care, however, particularly if the cold cure medicine contains paracetamol, that by taking paracetamol tablets as well, you do not exceed the daily advised maximum adult dose of 8 tablets of 500 mgms. Babies may be taken to the doctor if there is any concern but, again, treatment is purely symptomatic including raising the head of the cot, or putting a pillow UNDER the mattress at the head of the cot, to help nasal drainage. An increase in humidification simply by having a dish of water in the room may help. The slightly unwell baby should always sleep in the same room as its parents.  In small babies, of 3 months and under, do not use the highly aromatic rubs and solutions that have, traditionally, been rubbed on the chest or put on the baby’s pillow, as these can be highly dangerous.

 
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