An acute inflammatory process that affects the nasopharynx. It is caused by viruses. Signs and symptoms include fever, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat.
Symptoms of Cold
The following features are indicative of Cold:
stuffy or runny nose
sneezing
coughing
sore throat
mild fever
weakness
headache
aching joints
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Common Causes of Cold
The following are the most common causes of Cold:
rhinoviruses
respiratory syncytial virus
human parainfluenza viruses
human metapneumovirus
Other Causes of Cold
The following are the less common causes of Cold:
transmitted via airborne droplets
direct contact with infected nasal secretions
prolonged exposure to cold weather
Risk Factors for Cold
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Cold:
weakened immune system
smoking
exposure to viruses
Prevention of Cold
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Cold. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
wash hands daily with soap and water
do not touch your nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands
stay away from sick or infected people
Occurrence of Cold
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Cold cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Cold can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Cold can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Cold
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Cold:
Chest X-ray: To diagnose common cold
Doctor for Diagnosis of Cold
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Cold:
Infectious disease specialist
Complications of Cold if untreated
Yes, Cold causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Cold is left untreated:
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Cold:
Drink plenty of fluids: Prevents dehydration
Chicken soup and other warm fluids intake: Provides soothing effect and loosen congestion
Saltwater gargle: Helps in relieving sore or scratchy throat
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Cold
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Cold:
Vitamin C: Helpful in preventing cold
Echinacea: Prevents cold
Zinc supplements: Beneficial for treating cold
Time for Treatment of Cold
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Cold to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 1 - 4 weeks
Is Cold Infectious?
Yes, Cold is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
hand-to-hand contact with infected people
contact with respiratory secretions or stool from an infected person