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	Common Cold
	Definition
	A viral infection of the respiratory tract, the common cold is the most frequent disease striking this part of the body. Although the common cold is a relatively mild infection and clears up without treatment, it is the leading cause of visits to physicians and of student and employee absenteeism.
	Cause
	Rhinoviruses cause 40 to 50 percent of all colds. Other viruses such as coronaviruses account for 10 percent, and parainfluenza, influenza and adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (in children) cause most of the rest. During infection these viruses attach to the epithelial cells lining the nasal passage and sinuses, provoking the discharge of large amounts of mucus. The same virus can reinfect the same person time and again. The cold season in the Northern Hemisphere begins in late August or early September, continues through the winter, and fades away in April and May. Researchers don't know why colds tend to be seasonal but speculate that the congregation of children in schools during the colder months may be an important factor in the proliferation of winter infections. Cold weather also may dry the lining of the nasal passages and increase susceptibility to viral invasion. Young children are the most vulnerable to colds, and therefore these diseases usually spread rapidly through schools and households with youngsters. Cold viruses probably disseminate through manual contact when children rub their runny noses, pick up the virus on their fingers, and then transfer the virus to another when they touch hands. After you make contact with a cold virus, the cold usually takes about 2 to 3 days to manifest itself.
	Diagnosis
	Symptoms include nasal discharge, obstruction of nasal breathing, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, and a sore, scratchy throat that prompts occasional coughs. Fever is usually slight but can climb to 102°F (38.9°C) among infants and young children.
	Treatment
	Colds usually last about 1 week, but about 25 percent of them persist for 2 weeks; smoking can prolong the infection. A few colds are complicated by bacterial infections of the sinuses or middle ear, necessitating prompt antibiotic therapy, but most colds require no drug treatment. A physician can do nothing for the uncomplicated cold. Culturing the infectious virus for identification is pointless since there are no effective drugs against cold viruses, and both antibiotics and antihistamines are useless except for symptomatic relief. Some over-the-counter cold remedies especially those containing phenylephrine or epinephrine help promote nasal secretions and relieve obstruction, but decongestants should not be used for more than a few days. Some colds are accompanied by allergic reactions that may be relieved with antihistamines, but in general antihistamines are of little use against cold symptoms. Single-ingredient over-the-counter decongestants sometimes relieve congestion, while single-ingredient analgesics such as acetaminophen and aspirin can relieve aches and pains. Multi-ingredient cold preparations are generally more expensive, contain unnecessary ingredients, and may have long-term adverse effects for some cold sufferers. Patients with other medical conditions, including asthma, should consult their physician when they contract a cold. A physician should also be consulted if there is no relief in the cold symptoms after several days. Bacterial infections, bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which connect the windpipe with the lungs), or pneumonia can sometimes follow a cold because of the body's lowered resistance. While a cold is a self-limiting illness that lasts only a few days in a normally healthy person, it may be more serious in the very young, the elderly, or in people with a chronic disease, such as diabetes, heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or disease. These persons should contact a doctor when they have a cold because treatment may be required to prevent complications.
	Prevention
	To avoid spreading a cold, cold sufferers should frequently wash their hands with soap and water. Despite popular opinion, it's doubtful that exposed family members or co-workers can gain any protection by taking large doses of vitamin C; most careful studies fail to show any benefit from this tactic. (Even doses as high as 3 g per day failed to prevent colds among volunteers exposed to rhinovirus.) The best way to sidestep a cold is to avoid finger-to-nose or finger-to-eye contact, especially after contact with a cold sufferer. Wash your hands regularly, and if you do catch a cold, protect others by disposing of used tissues and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. No vaccine against the common cold may ever exist more than 100 viruses cause colds.
	Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies
	Drinking extra fluids helps thin mucus and ease congestion. In particular, consuming chicken soup or other hot beverages has been shown to relieve some of the respiratory symptoms of colds. Although use of large doses of vitamin C has not been shown to effectively prevent colds, vitamin C may slightly shorten the duration of a cold. A sore throat is best relieved by warm gargle solutions, hot liquids, or cough drops with cough-suppressing activity. Aspirin or acetaminophen and bed rest can help relieve headaches or generalized muscle pain.
	Aspirin Warning
	Do not give aspirin to children under 16 if the cold is due to influenza or chickenpox. Administer acetaminophen instead. Aspirin treatment for children has been associated with a disease called Reye's syndrome.