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The common cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract most often caused by
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How common is the common cold?
It is estimated that in one year people in the U.S. suffer 1 billion colds. Adults average about 2 to 4 colds a year, although the range varies widely. Women, especially those aged 20 to 30 years, have more colds than men, possibly because of their closer contact with children. Colds are most prevalent among children, who average 6 to 10 colds a year.
What are the symptoms?
several different viruses.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include:
- Runny or stuffed nose (including nasal discharge that might be thick, opaque, or discolored)
- Sore or scratchy throat (often occurs early on, then fades)
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- Headaches
- Blocked/popping feeling in ears
- Cough (often occurs 4-5 days into cold)
- Postnasal drip
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- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
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- Muscle aches
- Low grade fever
Cold symptoms
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typically lasts 3-7 days but it is not uncommon for some symptoms to persist up to 2 weeks. If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks
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Colds occasionally can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe facial pain in the sinuses, and a cough that produces mucus, may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a medical provider's attention.
How do you catch a cold?
People with colds carry viral particles on their hands for a couple of hours after touching their own noses. They can transmit the cold virus to another by direct contact (i.e. handshake, kissing) or by contaminating surfaces (i.e. door knobs, computer keyboard or mouse) that others touch and then spread to their own noses, mouths, or eyes. Viral particles can also be spread when cold sufferers sneeze, cough, or just exhale. Colds are not caused by cold temperatures, but some cold viruses are acquired more often in the fall and spring, others in the winter, and still others are responsible for most colds during the summer. It is not uncommon for adults to have 2-3 colds per year, and children 5-7.
Not everyone who is exposed to a cold virus catches a cold. Your body may have previously developed immunity to a particular rhinovirus. Other factors are age, general health, smoking, excessive fatigue, emotional distress, and intensity and duration of the virus exposure.
Are colds treated with antibiotics?
No. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and are not necessary or a curative for cold or flu viruses. In fact, overuse of antibiotics for colds can lead to bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics. According to the CDC, antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, the germs in your body can change causing them to completely repel the antibiotic. When that happens, your illness will linger with no signs of getting better. Or your illness could suddenly take a turn for the worse. You may have to seek emergency medical care and even be admitted to the hospital and have several different antibiotics administered through an IV. Sadly, those around you may also get the resistant bacteria and come down with a similar illness that is difficult to treat.
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A cold is different than "the flu" which is caused by influenza virus and is associated with high fever and more severe symptoms.
Treatments
Since most infections are viral (not bacterial), antibiotics won't make you better faster. Treatment is directed at the symptoms causing distress.
Take Care of Yourself
Get plenty of rest (at least 8 hours of sleep daily - "baby yourself" with extra rest if possible) and drink lots of fluids (a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily is reasonable).
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Over-the-counter cold medications are not curative, but may help your symptoms.
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- Lozenges/cough drops/sore throat sprays
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- Humidifying the air: Steam in the form of hot showers, a
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For nasal/sinus congestion and post nasal drip:
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- vaporizer or humidifier in your room can help congestion symptoms.
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- Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, Gatorade, or hot tea with honey can help soothe your throat
- Eating soup and drinking hot liquids often eases nasal congestion by loosening secretions.
For Nasal/Sinus Congestion & Post Nasal Drip ...
Daytime
- Decongestant in tablet form such as
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- pseudoephedrine (i.e., Sudafed, or generic equivalent products used per package directions).
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- The pseudoephedrine must be requested at
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- the pharmacy counter as it is kept "behind the counter" rather than out on the shelf. Don't take it near bedtime as some people are kept awake by it.
At
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Bedtime
- An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine
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- (i.e., Benadryl,
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- ), can ease the congestion, especially mucus dripping down your throat and can help you sleep- it works well at night since it may cause drowsiness.
Saline Nasal Spray or Saline Irrigation
- When the normal clearance of mucus from the nasal passage toward the throat becomes obstructed
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- . Saline nasal sprays may help liquefy these secretions and decrease the risk of crusting in the sinus cavities,
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For Fever, Body Aches, Headache, Sore Throat …
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) regular strength 325 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 4-6 hours as needed for fever.
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OR- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) extra strength 500 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 6 hours as needed for fever.
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OR- Ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin) over the counter strength - 200 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 6 hours as needed with food for fever and body aches.
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OR as directed by your provider.
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Do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen daily or more than 2400 mg of ibuprofen daily.
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Some over-the-counter cold products contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen in combination with other products, so be careful to read labels to avoid excessive doses. Similarly, read labels to make sure you know whether you are taking regular or extra strength acetaminophen, as this medicine is toxic at excessive doses.
For cough:
Generally, a wet, productive cough that produces mucus is good as it clears secretions. Sometimes, an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine with dextromethorphan ("DM") (i.e., Delsym or generic equivalent, per package directions) may help some people who have bothersome dry, spasmodic cough. Guaifenesin (i.e., Robitussin, Mucinex, taken per package directions), an expectorant, is available either by itself or as a common ingredient in cough/cold OTC remedies. Some people find this product helps to thin and mobilize mucus. If your cough disturbs your sleep, try a hot drink (i.e., tea with honey), elevating your head on two or three pillows, and/or humidifying your room.
If your cough is worsening, keeps you up at night without relief, or is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath, Fairfield students can "walk-in" or make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioners at the Health Center by calling (203) 254-4000, ext. 2241. Other prescription medicine may be indicated.
How do I prevent a cold?
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It is advisable not to use Aspirin in young adults due to life threatening Reyes Syndrome
When to Seek Medical Attention
- High or persistent fever >101
- Severe or worsening headache
- Stiff neck or painful swelling of neck glands
- Chest pain
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Cold symptoms lasting more than two (2) weeks, which steadily worsen instead of improving
- Painful swelling of neck glands
- White patches on your throat or tonsils
- Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
- Unable to keep fluids down
Preventative Measures
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not nearby, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Clean things that are touched often
- Stay away from people who are sick
- If you get sick, limit contact with others to avoid infecting them
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When should I see a medical provider about my cold?
Most colds are self-limited and even if some symptoms last up to two (2) weeks, there is some improvement gradually over time. Sometimes, if the cold has been lingering for some time, a secondary infection with a new virus or bacteria may occur. Examples of such complications of a cold include sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infection.
The appearance of thick yellow-green nasal discharge is a normal phase of the common cold and in and of itself does not suggest that a cold has developed into a sinus infection. Also, most people will have some pain/pressure in the face in the first 4-5 days of a cold. It should resolve as the cold improves.
Regarding fevers, for adults/young adults, only a temperature over 100.0 is considered a fever, even in people whose usual temperature fall below 98.6 (a normal finding). Low-grade fevers associated with familiar symptoms of a cold are usually not concerning, and are often lower in the morning, creeping up in the afternoon.
The following symptoms suggest that you may not have a simple common cold, or that a complication of cold may be occurring. See your medical provider or Fairfield students can "walk-in" or make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioners at the Health Center by calling (203) 254-4000 ext. 2241, if you experience:
- Fever of 100.0 for over three (3) days, especially with very sore throat
- Fever of 101.0 or more at any time
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Severe pain in chest, face, head, ears, throat
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Cold symptoms lasting more than two (2) weeks, which steadily worsen instead of improving
- Painful swelling of neck glands
- White patches on your throat or tonsils
- Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
- If you catch a cold but also have a serious chronic illness and/or a compromised immune system
Can I come to the Health Center?
If you are a Fairfield undergraduate student and you are concerned about your cold symptoms, you can "walk-in" or make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioners at the Health Center by calling (203) 254-4000 ext. 2241. We are located in Jogues Hall.
Links you can use
MEDLINE Plus
This site has several articles on common colds, including general overviews, treatment and prevention.
Familydoctor.org
Is it a cold or the flu? Familydoctor.org will help you sort through common symptoms to know the differences between a cold and the flu and when you should see a medical provider.
Disclaimer: Health Education is part of Health Services at Fairfield University. Health Education maintains this site as a resource for Fairfield students. This site is not intended to replace consultation with your medical providers. No site can replace real conversation. Health Education offers no endorsement of and assumes no liability for the currency, accuracy, or availability of the information on the sites we link to or the care provided by the resources listed. Health Services staff are available to treat and give medical advice to Fairfield University students only. If you are not a Fairfield student, but are in need of medical assistance please call your own health care provider or in case of an emergency, dial 911. Please contact us if you have comments, questions or suggestions.
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- Get enough rest
- Eat healthy
- Exercise frequently to keep your immune system strong
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