Common Cold (Acute Coryza, Upper Respiratory Infection)

The common cold is our most ubiquitous illness. On average, adults have two to four colds a year, and some children have 8 to 12. People who work in schools or health care settings, or who have small children, are more likely to catch multiple colds each year.

Symptoms may vary, but the typical cold starts with a sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny nose, frequently followed by a cough that can linger for a week to 10 days.

More than 200 different viruses can cause cold symptoms, but the most common are in the rhinovirus family and are highly contagious. They are often transmitted through the air when someone who has a cold expels them by sneezing or coughing and someone else inhales them. They can also travel from one person to another by direct contact with fingers, tissues, or other objects that can harbor a virus.

Even though so many different viruses are involved, they all produce similar symptoms, which is why all are classified as a single illness. Colds can occur at any time of the year, but are most common in the late fall, winter, and early spring.

Diagnostic Studies and Procedures

Diagnosis is usually based on the presence of characteristic symptoms. In some cases, a laboratory throat culture may be ordered to rule out strep throat and other bacterial infections.

Medical Treatments

There are no cures for the common cold, and prescription drugs are no more effective than those you can purchase over the counter. A doctor's care is usually not necessary unless complications develop, or you have a chronic disease such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or diabetes that can be made worse by a cold.

The most common complication is a secondary bacterial infection of the ears, throat, sinuses, or lungs. If this should occur, antibiotics may be necessary. Generally, you should see a doctor if symptoms do not improve in 7 to 10 days. Go sooner if your breathing is difficult or painful or you have a persistent fever and chills, an earache, a severe headache, enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the neck, or other severe or unusual symptoms.

Alternative Therapies

There are numerous alternative and folk remedies to alleviate cold symptoms.

Aromatherapy. Massaging the face with diluted eucalyptus oil can ease nasal congestion. Adding a few drops of pine or eucalyptus oil to a tub of hot water and soaking in it can help alleviate chest congestion and muscle aches.

Herbal Medicine. Teas or capsules of echinacea, ginger, horehound, lung wort, and mullein are recommended for general cold symptoms. Gargling with fenugreek tea or sucking lozenges of slippery elm bark may help alleviate a sore throat.

Cayenne tea, or foods flavored with it, stops chills and helps to clear sinuses and lung congestion, as does munching a clove of fresh garlic.

Homeopathy. The specific remedy is determined by the type of cold. For example, aconite or belladonna is recommended during the early stage of a cold that comes on suddenly after a chill. Allium cepa, or raw onion, is said to counter colds that produce an irritating nasal discharge, while euphrasia is advised for those with a non-irritating nasal discharge and runny eyes. Arsenicum is the preferred remedy for colds with coughs; bryonia and phosphorus are also recommended.

Hydrotherapy. Hot baths or alternating warm and cool showers help alleviate general achiness. Soaking the feet in hot water is thought to relieve congestion and promote sleep.

Naturopathy and Nutrition Therapy. Hot, steamy liquids such as chicken soup help to thin mucus and clear congestion. In fact, medical studies have confirmed that chicken soup really does ease cold symptoms.
More controversial are high doses of vitamin C. Firm scientific proof is lacking, yet millions of people insist that two to six grams of vitamin C each day has helped prevent colds and shorten the course of those that do develop. (A word of caution: If high doses cause diarrhea, reduce the amount. Also, do not take high-dose vitamin C if you have kidney or bladder problems.)

Yoga. Deep breathing techniques can promote rest and relaxation, which aid healing, and counter nasal congestion.

Self-Treatment

Most colds run their course in seven days regardless of what you do. In the meantime, get plenty of rest and drink extra fluids to thin mucus. A cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture can relieve nasal symptoms.

Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke may prolong cold symptoms. Abstain from smoking at the first sign of a cold, and stay away from smoky or otherwise polluted environments

If you take cold medications, look for those with ingredients to treat your particular symptoms instead of broad-spectrum combinations to combat 10 or 12 complaints. Remember, ingredients such as antihistamines and decongestants increase the risk of drowsiness and other unwanted side effects.

Other Causes of Cold Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of a cold also accompany the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, mononucleosis, and allergies.