The common cold

* Yelena Qatmosh *Tasneem Hattem

The common cold is the most common illness in humans .

What causes the common cold?

• The common cold is a viral infection of the upperrespiratory tract .• Usually last approximately 7 days .• Associated with a number of viruses :Ex. Rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses • Season of the year, age, and prior exposure are important factors in the type of virus causingthe infection and the type of symptoms that mayoccur .

Common Cold Statistics

• Adults have 2-4 colds per year • Children may have up to 10 colds per year

How does it spread?

• Very contagious• Spread from person to person• Usually from nasal secretions and from fingers

of the affected person• Most contagious in the first 3 days after

symptoms begin• Viruses can last up to 5 hours on the skin and

hard surfaces

While it is impossible to completely prevent thespread of colds, there are steps you can take toreduce your and your family's chances ofbecoming infected with a virus that causesColds :

1. Wash your hands often.

Frequent hand washing can destroy viruses that you have acquired from touching surfaces used by other people.

2. Avoid touching your face.

Most importantly, avoid touching the nose, mouth, and eye areas if you are around someone with a cold or have been touching surfaces in a public area.

3. Don't smoke !!

Cigarette smoke can irritate the airways and increase susceptibility to colds and other infections. Even exposure to passive smoke can make you (or your children) more vulnerable to colds.

4. Use disposable items if a family member is infected.

Disposable cups can be thrown away after each use and prevent accidental spread of the virus from sharing of cups or glasses.

5. Keep household surfaces clean.

Door knobs, drawer pulls, keyboards, light switches, telephones, remote controls, countertops, and sinks can all harbor viruses for hours after their use by an infected person. Wipe these surfaces frequently with soap and water or a disinfectant solution.

6. Wash toys

If your child has a cold, wash his or her toys as well when you are cleaning household surfaces and commonly-used items.

7. Use paper towels

Use paper towels in the kitchen and bathroom for hand washing. Germs can live for several hours on cloth towels. Alternatively, have separate towels for each family member and provide a clean one for guests.

8. Throw tissues away after use

Used tissues are sources of virus that can contaminate any surface where they are left.

9. Control stress

Studies have shown that people experiencing emotional stress have weakened immune systems and are more likely to catch a cold than their calmer counterparts.

10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

While there isn't direct evidence to show that eating well or exercising can prevent colds, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, with adequate sleep, good nutrition, and physical exercise can help ensure that your immune system is in good condition and ready to fight infection if it occurs.

Symptoms

• Begins with a feeling of dryness and stuffiness in the nasopharynx (nose)

• Nasal secretions (usually clear and watery)• Watery eyes• Red and swollen nasal mucous membranes• Headache• Generalized tiredness• Chills (in severe cases)

• Fever (in severe cases)• Exhaustion (in severe cases)• If the pharynx and larynx (throat) becomes

involved: Sore throat Hoarseness

Natural Cold & Flu Remedies

It's no wonder natural cold and flu remedies are popular -- modern medicine has yet to offer a cure for these age-old ailments. While some antiviral drugs can prevent and shorten the flu's duration, most medications only offer temporary relief of symptoms. Many natural remedies provide temporary relief as well, and a few may actually help you get better. See which cold and flu remedies show the most promise.

1. Zinc

Some studies show that Zinc appears to have antiviral properties. There is some evidence the mineral may prevent the formation of certain proteins that cold viruses use to reproduce themselves. While zinc does not appear to help prevent colds, some research suggests it may help shorten cold symptom duration and reduce the severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms. The FDA recommends against using zinc nasal products for colds because of reports of permanent loss of smell.

2. Vitamin C

Some studies suggest it can help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. In one study, participants who were exposed to extreme physical stress and cold weather -- and who took vitamin C -- were 50% less likely to get a cold. To prevent side effects, such as diarrhea and stomach upset, the maximum daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 2,000 milligrams.

3. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup may help cold symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And some advocates say the soup may soothe inflammation. Researchers have found chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties in the lab, though it's unclear whether this effect translates to real-world colds.

4. Hot Tea

Drinking hot tea offers some of the same benefits as chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves congestion, while swallowing the fluid soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Black and green teas have the added bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, which may fight colds.

5. Steam/Humidifier

Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal passages, offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.

6. Saline Drops

Dripping saltwater into the nose can thin out nasal secretions and help remove excess mucus, while reducing congestion . Try over-the-counter saline drops, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of warm water ( 250 ml ) with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Use a bulb syringe to squirt the mixture into one nostril while holding the other one closed. Repeat 2-3 times and then do the other side.

8. Neti Pot

This small ceramic pot is used to flush out the nasal passages with a saltwater solution -- a process known as nasal irrigation. The result is thinner mucus that drains more easily. Research suggests neti pots are useful in relieving sinus symptoms, such as congestion, pressure, and facial pain, particularly in patients with chronic sinus troubles.

9. Menthol Ointment

Menthol has mild numbing agents that can relieve the pain of raw skin. As an added benefit, breathing in the medicated vapors that contain menthol or camphor may help open clogged passages and relieve symptoms of congestion. Use only in children over 2 years of age.

10. Saltwater Gargle

For a sore throat, the traditional saltwater gargle may have some merit. Gargling warm water with a teaspoon of salt four times daily may help keep a scratchy throat moist.

11. Nasal Strips

Another strategy for relieving nighttime congestion is to try over-the-counter nasal strips. These are strips of tape worn on the bridge of the nose to open the nasal passages. While they can't unclog the nose, they do create more space for airflow.

12. Let Your Fever Work

The rise in temperature actively fights colds and flu by making your body inhospitable for germs. Endure a moderate fever for a couple of days to get better faster. Just be sure to stay well hydrated. Call your doctor right away if the fever is over 104 ( 40 C ), unless it comes down quickly with treatment. In infants 3 months or younger call your doctor for any fever greater than 100.4 ( 38 C ) . Children with a fever of less than 102 ( 38.9 C ) usually don't require treatment unless they're uncomfortable.

13. Bed Rest

getting plenty of rest lets your body direct more energy to fighting off germs.

Treatment of common cold

• Antihistamines• Decongestants• Pain Relievers & Antipyretics• Cough suppressants & Expectorants• Nasal Strips• Antibiotics are ineffective !!!

1. Antihistamines

• Chlorpheniramine• Diphenhydramine

2. Decongestants • Phenylephrine • Pseudoephedrine

3. Pain Relievers & antipyretic • Paracetamol • Ibuprofen

4. Cough suppressants• dextromethorphan

When do I see the doctor?

• See your doctor if you have:• Temperature over 101 degrees ( 38.3 C ) for

more than 48 hours• A cough with pain in the chest• Shortness of breath• Persistent sore throat, without a runny or

stuffy nose

• Your throat is very red and it hurts to swallow • No improvement within 7 days• Severe headache with a fever• Worsening pain in one or both ears• Any chronic medical condition Ex. Asthma or diabetes

What To do about colds and flu during pregnancy:

• If you are pregnant and do get a cold, do not take any over-the-counter cold or cough medications without checking with your practitioner.

• you should turn to more natural ways of relieving symptoms .• Most antihistamines, decongestants and Cough

medications should not be taken during pregnancy unless instructed to do so by the practitioner, They are usually not tested in pregnant women and may have dangerous side effects for the baby.

• In most cases, it is fine to take acetaminophen for minor aches and pains. Women should avoid ibuprofen, naproxen they can interfere with baby's development in the early months and create problems during labor later on.

Treating Child's Cold or Fever

Pediatricians say a fever is significant when it's ( 38 C ) or more. If your child has a fever, call the doctor if she's younger than 6 months; has other symptoms; has had a fever for more than two days; or has not been vaccinated. In other cases, it's usually safe to use children's ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

How old does my child need to be to take cough or cold

medicine?

Don't give over-the-counter cold medicine or cough medicine to children younger than 4, they may cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. To ease cold symptoms, give extra fluids, use a nasal aspirator, and use a humidifier.

If you give two medicines, don't double up on a drug.

Be sure you don't give your child two over-the-counter medicines with the same active ingredients. In the same way, a cough medication may also contain other ingredients to treat congestion. So it's easy to unintentionally double a child's dose if you don't read carefully. Compare ingredients in the 'Drug Facts' box so you don't risk giving your child an overdose.

If don't have any children's medicine. Can I give half an adult

dose?

Never give your child OTC medicines that are meant for adults. You'll just be guessing at the right dose, and some medicines are formulated differently for children. Use only products that are labeled for use in babies, infants, or children ("for pediatric use") .

Thank You