Colds affect people of all ages, but are especially
common amongst children. On average, an adult has three or four
colds a year. Children have far more than that. 85% of us get
a cold at least once a year. Because colds are normally caused
by viruses, antibiotics don’t help.
There are lots of different viruses that cause colds. Rhinovirus
infection is the most common cause of colds and more than 110
types of this virus have been identified. Normally, a cold begins
when the virus attaches to the lining of your nose. Rhinovirus
has a very simple structure, which makes it extremely resistant.
When you get a cold, your body develops immunity to that particular
cold virus, but only for a short time. Which means you can become
infected with new types of rhinovirus and have several colds one
after the other.
Symptoms
Colds usually start with a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
Then you may start to sneeze. The next stage is that your nose
starts running, first with a watery secretion that gradually becomes
a thick, yellow discharge. It becomes difficult to breathe through
the nose because the nasal membranes become swollen. Your ears
may feel blocked and you may develop a headache and a cough. A
high temperature is most common among children, rarer among adults.
How do we catch a cold?
The infection is spread by airborne droplets when someone with
a cold coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by hand if someone
has the virus on their hands and then puts them close to their
eyes or nose. It is also possible to get a cold through indirect
contact, for instance, by holding a door handle that someone with
a cold has just touched. A cold develops two to five days after
catching the infection. A person is contagious from the day before
the illness breaks out until one to three days after they feel
better.
The risk of infection is greatest on the first day of illness
and for a couple of days afterwards. A person with a cold should
therefore stay away from work, school or day care so as not to
spread the infection and to give the body a chance to recover. |
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What can you do to avoid
catching/spreading a cold?
· Avoid shaking hands with anyone who has a cold.
· Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly when colds
are rife.
· Throw disposable paper tissues into a plastic bag after
use and seal the bag.
· Keep warm. There is still much discussion as to whether
or not cold conditions can trigger colds.
· Cover your mouth/nose when you sneeze.
How do you treat a cold?
There is no effective way of treating an ordinary cold, although
there are ways of relieving the symptoms. Nasal decongestants
reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose to ease
breathing and relieve discomfort. However, these should be used
sparingly. Research indicates that you can recover from a cold
more quickly by not using nasal decongestants during the first
couple of days. Nasal congestion has several important preventive
functions – it raises the temperature in the nasal membranes,
thereby inhibiting the growth of the virus. In addition, the blood-filled
vessels allow plasma-borne antibodies and other defence mechanisms
to reach the mucous membranes more easily. A nasal spray containing
saline solution can be used to clean the mucous membranes, removing
catarrh and particles from the nasal passages without causing
them to swell. You should also remember to drink a lot if you
have a temperature. You should rest and avoid strenuous physical
activities, such as sports and exercise.
It may feel easier to breathe if you sleep with your head on a
high pillow. Use an extra pillow or raise the head end of the
bed.
Painkillers, antipyretics and cough mixtures can be taken if needed.
Penicillin and other antibiotics don’t help because colds
are caused by viruses.
1) ”Nasal pathophysiology in the common cold” Åkerlund
A, (Lund: Dep of oto-rhino-laryngology, Lund University, 1993)
Other sources: Websites: Netdoktor, apoteket.se and Vårdguiden.
Facts confirmed by professor Matti Anniko |
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