Definition:
Common cold or upper respiratory infection refers to a viral infection affecting the nose and throat.
- Several viruses can cause colds but rhinoviruses are the most common culprit.
- Most people experience symptoms for an average of 7-10 days, though it may be longer in at-risk individuals such as smokers.
- Symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to the cold virus and may include a general sense of not feeling well as well as fever, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, body aches, or a mild headache, Sneezing, etc.
- Risk factors include children less than six years of age, smoking including secondhand smoking, fall and winter, exposure to others with cold, and a weakened immune system such as during stress.
- Complications of the common cold may include ear infections, sinusitis, asthma, and secondary infections such as pneumonia, strep throat, etc.
Treatment:
Environment/Lifestyle/ Diet
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C (fruits and vegetables) and zinc (meat, nuts, cereals, seafood, and pumpkin seeds).
- Eliminate all simple sugars
- Do not smoke or get exposed to smoke
- Keep active but do not overstrain
- Avoid those with colds if possible
- Reduce stress
- Wash hands frequently
- Consider a yearly influenza vaccine if at risk
Medications:
- Most over the counter medications such as antihistamines and decongestants may be used but have potential side effects.
- Nasal ipratropium 0.03% for nasal congestion, 2 sprays in each nostril 2-3 times daily.
Other Diagnosis & Treatment Considerations
- Moist air such as using a vaporizer and consider adding 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water, and inhale deeply for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Nasal irrigation with normal or hypertonic saline with a bulb syringe, nasal spray, or neti pot twice a day.
- Supplements such as vitamin C, Zinc, Astragalus, etc. may be helpful.