The
common cold is caused by any one of over 200 viruses. The symptoms of a cold
are a runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, headache and
general body aches. A common cold usually lasts for about one or two weeks,
with a gradual one- or two-day onset. As the cold progresses the mucous may
thicken.
Colds occur throughout the year, and
can occur on an average of 6 times per year in children. If someone has cold
symptoms for two weeks or more, or seems to have a cold all the time, suspect
allergies or sinusitis.
Self-care
- Eat well; get enough sleep and
exercise to keep up your resistance. - Cover your mouth with a tissue
paper when you sneeze. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and
mouth. - Wash your hands often,
particularly when you are around people who have colds. - Stop smoking.
- Get extra rest after work or
school when you have a cold. Take care not to expose to others. - Drink plenty of fluids. Hot
water or soup will help relieve congestions. - Take hot shower to relieve
nasal stuffiness. - Inhalations of warm moist
water, compounds containing volatile substances like menthol and eucalyptus
are useful to loosen up thick mucous. - Watch the back of your throat
for postnasal drip. If streaks of mucous appear, gargle to prevent a sore
throat.
Selecting
'over-the-counter' preparations
There are many types of
'over-the-counter' medicines available to treat symptoms of the common cold.
These medicines may help to relieve symptoms but do not alter the course of the
illness.
Decongestants relieve nasal congestion by
shrinking blood vessels and widening the nasal passages and thus slow down
mucous production. Topical decongestant nasal spray/drops relieve nasal
stuffiness more quickly but their use are limited to a maximum duration of 7
days only. Continued use may lead to a 'rebound effect'.
E.g.
Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine, Xylometazoline.
Take analgesics
to relieve relief fever or aches, if necessary.
E.g.
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen.
Antihistamines act by helping to dry nasal
secretions. They may be taken if needed. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness
and those taking antihistamines should avoid driving and work that requires
concentration. Be cautious when taking non-sedating antihistamines, as some
individuals may also experience drowsiness. Antihistamines may increase the
effects of alcohol and other medicines; if in doubt ask your pharmacist or
doctor.
E.g.
Sedating antihistamines – Diphenhydramine, Promethazine, Triprolidine
Non-sedating antihistamines – Cetrizine, Loratidine,
Terfenadine.
When to call
a doctor
It is
important to seek medical advice if you have the following symptoms:
- If facial pain, fever or other
signs of sinusitis develop. - Nasal discharge changes from
clear to coloured (yellow or green) after five to seven days of a cold,
and other symptoms (such as sinus pain or fever) are worsening.
