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The average adult has
2-4 colds per year.
The average young child
has 6-8 colds per year.
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Cold Symptoms |
Symptoms can occur as soon as
10-12 hours after exposure to cold viruses and can include:
- Sore throat is usually the first symptom
- Nasal stuffiness and discharge
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Fever is common in children but not in adults
- Headaches
- Muscle or body aches may occur but this is more common with
influenza infections
- Malaise and lethargy
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A cold, or upper respiratory infection, is one of the most common
illnesses causing some 20 million work loss days and 22 million absences
from school each year. Young children get an average of 6-8 colds per year
and adults about 2-4 colds per year. What's a person to do? Here are some
cold facts:
- Colds are caused by viruses, not exposure to cold temperatures.
- Cold viruses are spread by 1.) direct contact with the person or
objects they touch and contaminate, 2.) by small particle aerosols
lingering in the air from people with colds, 3.) close contact with
large particle aerosols from an infected person who coughs or sneezes.
- Keep hands and environment clean. Limit exposure to infected people.
- Keep your hands away from your face (especially your nose or eyes).
Self inoculation with the virus in the nose or eyes is the most common
way of transmitting the virus.
- If you have a cold, disposal of infected nasal discharge in a
sanitary way, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying
away from close contact with other people decreases the spread of
viruses, especially during the first day or two of a cold.
- Not all people who become infected with a cold virus get a
symptomatic cold, only about 75%.
- After infection, symptoms can occur quickly, within 10-12 hours.
Symptoms usually peak after 2-3 days and decrease soon after. The
average duration is 7-10 days.
- Colds can lead to other complications such as asthma flare ups, ear
aches, and lower respiratory infections.
What can you do to prevent colds?
- Get adequate rest. Lack of sleep can reduce resistance.
- Wearing a face mask around people with a cold may help if it is a
mask that is designed to trap small particles.
- Regular moderate exercise reduces risk. Heavy training may increase
risk.
- Psychological stress can increase susceptibility and is dose
dependant, meaning the higher the level of stress the more susceptible
you become.
What can you do to treat a cold?
- Take it easy. Drink lots of fluids. Warm soup is comforting.
- Ask your doctor for guidance on symptom relief. Common treatments
include a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (like Tylenol) for
aches and fever, decongestants for stuffy noses, antihistamines for
sneezing and runny noses, and cough medicine if needed. None of these
will cure the cold, but it may make it more tolerable.
- Hot showers and warm baths are soothing.
- Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.
- Unfortunately, vitamin C and Echinacea, contrary to popular belief,
have not been shown to be effective either.
- Patience. If a cold hangs on a long time or other complications get
worse, then it's time to see your doctor for additional help.
- Research is continuing on antiviral drugs and immunizations. Who
knows, some day maybe there will be a cure for the common cold in our
lifetime.
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Making Healthy Choices articles are written
by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong
Health with contributions from associated health professionals.
Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's
purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor
but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should
contact their physician for specific guidance.
Copyrighted 2002 by PrevMedix LLC. All rights
reserved. Do not make unauthorized copies. |
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