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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:49:26 PM |
It is estimated that the average individual will get around three or more colds a year. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of different of viruses that can cause the common cold. These viruses can change or mutate, so that immunity to one virus doesn’t mean you’re immune to the next one that comes around.
Common cold infections are readily passed from person to person by direct contact, contact with infected objects, or through the air with coughing or sneezing. One major problem with transmission is that by the time an individual develops cold symptoms, they have been most contagious days earlier. This means that family members, classmates, and co-workers have been exposed before anyone realizes they’re sick.
Cold viruses infect the respiratory tract, so symptoms can be in the nose, sinuses, ears, throat, bronchial tubes, and chest. Most sore throats, earaches, sinus infections, and bronchitis are due to common viruses such as the cold viruses, not bacteria.
Sometimes it seems that if we go outside in the cold weather, we get a cold. How does that happen? What is most likely occurring is that our respiratory system becomes more vulnerable to infection in the cold environment. That is, the virus may more easily penetrate the respiratory cells in the cold air. Then, we are more apt to become infected by any virus that we get exposed to in that timeframe.
Most of us have experienced a runny nose after being out in the cold for a while. The lining in the nose can react to temperature changes as well as viruses, pollens, and other irritants. The extreme of temperature is an environmental stress that causes the nasal cells to produce chemicals leading to local inflammation, just like if you had allergies. It’s simply called rhinitis.
This local inflammation, though not necessarily an infection, may allow enough of a breach for viruses to enter the respiratory cells to cause an infection. Therefore, if the virus is presented to your system during that time, you may be prone to catch a cold.
The symptoms of a cold are all too well-known: stuffed up and/or runny nose; sore throat; sinus pressure; headache; ear pressure, pain, or popping; coughing; and possibly muscle aches and fever. Infections due to cold virus normally won’t give an individual a very high fever. It may be low-grade the first day or two (99-100).
Fortunately for most, common colds are more of a nuisance than an actual threat to life. They are self-limited, running their course in about seven to 10 days. With rest and plenty of fluids, the body will develop antibodies to the virus and fight it off. Transmission of these common viral illnesses can be greatly reduced by simple hand-washing.
Symptoms beyond this time or out of proportion to usual viral symptoms may indicate a more serious infection. Many bacteria already present in our bodies will take advantage of a weakened immune state and can cause infections to worsen. As with any disease, if there is any question as to the nature or severity of your condition, check with your regular doctor.
The content in this column is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician for appropriate individual treatment. Dr. Reynolds practices Family Medicine in Chesterfield.
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