Definition:

Common cold or upper respiratory infection refers to a viral infection affecting nose and throat.

• Several viruses can cause cold but rhinoviruses are the most common culprit.
• Most people experience symptoms for an average 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 time, exposure to others with cold and a weakened immune system such during stress.
• Complications of common cold may include ear infection, 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.

Other Treatments

Specific medications and supplements, tailored to each patient, can help in the treatment of this condition.

Please contact us for an appointment to discuss appropriate evaluation and treatment.