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The common cold is an extremely common upper respiratory infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. The common cold is caused by a virus and is very contagious. There are about 200 different types of viruses than can cause the common cold. Most cases of the common cold are mild, and most people recover from the common cold without complications. However, in some cases the common cold can lead to more serious infections and complications.
The effects of the common cold can vary between individuals and the specific type of virus causing the infection. Symptoms of the common cold include low-grade fever, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and cough. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of the common cold.
Because symptoms of the common cold can be mild, some people may not seek medical care and get a diagnosis. Because symptoms can also resemble symptoms of other diseases, a diagnosis can be missed. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of the common cold.
Viruses that cause the common cold spread from person to person when someone with the common cold talks, coughs or sneezes. This shoots droplets contaminated with the common cold virus into the air where they can be breathed in by others. The common cold also spreads by touching an infected person or a surface contaminated by the virus, such as a contaminated drinking glass or doorknob.
The common cold is most common during the winter, especially during rainy weather, although it can occur at any time of year.
Some people are at risk for complications of common cold. These people include those who have a chronic disease, an immunodeficiency disorder, a suppressed or compromised immune system, and the very young and very old. In these people, complications of the common cold can be serious and include the development of pneumonia, otitis media, acute bronchitis, sinusitis, and the worsening of asthma.
Diagnosing a common cold begins with taking a thorough health history, including symptoms, and performing a physical exam. Some tests may be done to rule-out other infections that have similar symptoms to the common cold. These tests include a throat culture and sensitivity to test for strep throat and influenza testing.
Additional testing may be performed if it is suspected that a common cold has led to the develoment of complications, such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Testing may include a complete blood count (CBC) and a chest X-Ray.
The best protection from getting or spreading the common cold includes covering the mouth and nose with the elbow or a tissue when sneezing or coughing and washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Antibacterial cleaners can also be used to clean hands and surfaces. It is also important to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth, which can transmit the common cold virus from the hands into nose and mouth.
There is currently no cure for the common cold. Treatment includes measures to help relieve symptoms and keep the body as strong as possible to minimize the risk of developing complications. Most people who are in general good health can recover from the common cold at home with supportive care, such as rest, drinking extra fluids, and over-the-counter cold remedies.
The age-old remedy of chicken soup may actually help to break up congestion and provides easy-to-digest nutrients to help keep up strength. Alternative treatment may also be recommended to shorten the length of the common cold.
Antibiotics are ineffective against the common cold, but for some people, a prescribed antiviral drug may be appropriate to help shorten the length of the disease. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of the common cold. ...more »
Common cold: Almost everyone is familiar with the feeling you get when you start a common cold, such as a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, or tearing. Colds are very common but are more common in children and decline with age. They are rarely dangerous to healthy adults or children, but may occasionally be dangerous to infants, the elderly or other at-risk groups.
Correct diagnosis of a cold usually means distinguishing between cold and the more serious flu, which is not always easy, but is important because of newer antiviral medications for the flu. There are also other conditions that start like a cold (e.g. rare but serious whooping cough) and numerous conditions that have cold-like symptoms or flu-like symptoms. Although there are numerous different subtypes of colds, diagnosis of the specific subtype of cold is rarely performed and not usually important for treatment. ...more »
Symptoms of the common cold are generally mild and include runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of virus causing the common cold. Some people can also experience fever, cough, body aches, headache, fatigue, post-nasal drip, and sore throat.
In some people, the common cold can ...more symptoms »
Treatment of the common cold starts with prevention. Preventive measures include covering the mouth and nose with an elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Antibacterial cleaners can also be effectively used to clean hands and surfaces. It is also important to avoid touching the eyes, ...more treatments »
Misdiagnosing the common cold is possible because the symptoms of the common cold can mimic symptoms of other diseases, such as strep throat, pneumonia, and influenza or flu. To ensure the symptoms are due to the common cold and not other diseases, some tests may be done, such as a throat culture and sensitivity test to test for strep throat. Other tests may ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 20 symptoms of Common cold
See full list of 10 treatments for Common cold
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Mild worm infections undiagnosed in children: Human worm infestations, esp. threadworm, can be overlooked in some cases, because it may cause only mild or even absent symptoms. Although the most common symptoms are anal...read more »
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis, when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common cold....read more »
Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears off after about 15 years....read more »
Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be over-diagnosed...read more »
Blood pressure cuffs misdiagnose hypertension in children: One known misdiagnosis issue with hyperension, arises in relation to the simple equipment used to test blood pressure. The "cuff" around the arm to...read more »
Children with migraine often misdiagnosed: A migraine often fails to be correctly diagnosed in pediatric patients. These patients are not the typical migraine sufferers, but migraines...read more »
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Prognosis for Common cold: Recovery from colds usually takes about a week but this can vary depending on the age and overall health of the patient.
More about prognosis of Common cold
Visit our research pages for current research about Common cold treatments.
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Common cold include:
See full list of 10 Clinical Trials for Common cold
Prevention information for Common cold has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Common cold.
Read more about prevention of Common cold
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Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose – everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting one to two weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and of school and job absenteeism. (Source: excerpt from The Common Cold, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Catarrhal disorder of the upper respiratory tract, which may be viral or a mixed infection; marked by acute coryza, slight rise in temperature, chilly sensations, and general indisposition. - (Source - Diseases Database)
A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs); "will they never find a cure for the common cold?" - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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