Introduction of the Common Cold. To read this article in Urdu Here
The common cold, also called rhino pharyngitis, is a type of sinus infection caused by one of several viral diseases.
It is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted mostly through human contact, making it the most common infectious disease in humans. However, it is usually self-limiting and resolves within about a week to ten days to resolve serious complications. Young children and the elderly may take longer to recover.
Commonly affected
On average, adults get two or three colds a year, but children are more affected, especially those under the age of six.
School-aged children can get up to ten colds a year. The incidence of colds is higher in autumn (autumn) and winter, as it is a seasonal infection, although people can be infected at any time of the year.
Symptoms
People with the common cold usually experience symptoms such as:
Sore throat, Runny nose, Nasal congestion, Sneezing, Cough, Fatigue, Minor muscle aches, Headache, and chills/slight fever.
Causes and prevention
The common cold is usually caused by a rhinovirus that is spread through contact with the saliva or nasal secretions of someone already infected with the virus.
Sneezing or coughing spreads the virus and contaminates surfaces, which other people can touch and thus contract the virus.
Because cold viruses are so contagious, it's important to try to prevent the infection from spreading to other people.
Regular handwashing is recommended, and people should be advised to avoid touching the face as much as possible.
Mechanical handwashing is the most important aspect of washing away the virus, as most soaps and antibacterial washes have little effect on rhinoviruses.
Additionally, people who are infected with the common cold should take care to sneeze or cough by covering their face away from other people, into a clean handkerchief or tissue, and by not releasing infected items to cause contamination. Instead, dispose of them properly.
Because the common cold is caused by many different virus strains, it is not possible to get a vaccine to prevent the common cold.
Each virus requires uniquely targeted antibodies to block it, and it is not possible to include all antibodies in a common cold vaccine.
Complications
Although common colds are usually harmless, they can sometimes lead to bacterial super infection of the larynx resulting in hoarseness followed by hoarseness, earaches, and middle ear infections. And there is tonsillitis.
Treatment
The common cold is self-limiting and in most cases clears up on its own after about a week. However, symptoms can be quite mild, and many people seek symptomatic treatment to manage the infection.
Patients should be advised to get plenty of rest to fight infection and keep their fluid intake high. Antibiotics only target bacteria and cannot successfully kill viruses. As a result, their use in viral respiratory infections is useless and should not be used.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen do not provide much relief for symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, and fever. However, they are widely prescribed and used in the management of the common cold and are supposed to reduce the severity of these symptoms. Nasal decongestants also offer a small benefit for symptoms of nasal congestion and associated headaches in adults only. Fluid gargles and copious amounts of fluids are part of traditional treatment, but no statistical benefit can be shown.
Additionally, some natural compounds have been found to help manage upper respiratory tract infections. It contains vitamin C, which is sometimes able to shorten the duration of a cold when taken in relatively high doses soon after the onset of symptoms. However, supplements on a regular basis may be more beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of colds. Similarly, zinc intake has been linked to fewer colds.
In most cases, people with the common cold should be advised that their symptoms will clear up quickly and that they should rest while their body fights off the infection.
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