Battling the Common Cold

Introduction

The runny nose, the scratchy throat, the stuffy, sneezy misery—the ordinary "common cold" can be extraordinarily bothersome and uncomfortable. Costly, too: in a typical year in the U.S., 1 billion colds cause 15 million days lost from work and 157 million days of restricted activity. Even more often, colds go with us—to daycare, to school, to work, to the movies and shopping, to restaurants and the family dinner table.

Scientists have learned a lot about colds—what causes them, when and whom they strike most often—but have not yet developed a quick cure or a preventive vaccine.

Knowledge can be powerful medicine, however, if you use it to lower your risk of catching a cold. Colds are everywhere and you are exposed to them routinely. But some simple steps can significantly reduce your chances of catching every cold you meet.

What Is a Cold?

A cold is an infectious disease characterized by a common set of symptoms—including a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, mild to moderate cough and perhaps mild fever. Colds are believed to be caused by any of more than 200 viruses.

The rhinovirus—one of the most common cold culprits—comes in more than 100 varieties and usually strikes in the spring, summer and early fall. The rhinovirus causes an estimated 30 to 35 percent of all adult colds. Coronaviruses, which cause about 10 to 20 percent of adult colds, tend to hit in the winter and early spring.

A small percentage of colds are caused by viruses that also are responsible for other, more severe illnesses such as certain strains of influenza. Almost half of adult colds are caused by still other viruses that have yet to be identified!

Cold symptoms are typically the reaction of your body's immune system fighting the invading virus. The infected cells trigger production of body chemicals that lead to swelling and inflammation of the nasal membranes and passages, overflow levels of certain other fluids—causing the "runny" nose—and increased production of protective mucus.

In the U.S., children can average six colds a year; some children get double that. Adults usually get fewer colds— two to four a year, and people over age 60 get fewer still—on average, less than one per year.

How Do Colds Spread?

The most common way colds move from one person to another is believed to be through direct contact with the virus—breathing the leftover airborne particles from someone's cough or sneeze, or touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes or nose, where the virus finds easy entry.

Cold, dry weather boosts the survival time of some cold viruses, which increases the chance of spreading. And the cold weather dries out the lining of your nasal passages, making you more susceptible to infection.

The most effective ways to stop the spread of colds are to cover sneezes and coughs, and to wash hands often and well. Wash with warm, soapy water, from the fingertips up well past the wrists. Scrub evenly and rinse thoroughly. If possible, dry hands on a disposable paper towel and use it to turn the faucet off.

Smokers face a greater risk of developing infections and other health complications from the common cold than do non-smokers.

How Can You Avoid Catching a Cold?

A cold is a viral attack on your immune system. One way to reduce your risk of catching a cold is to strengthen your immune system, taking special care of yourself when your defenses are down.

Get adequate rest. Children—teenagers as well as young ones—need more sleep than adults.
Eat a balanced diet, especially whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Ask your doctor about vitamin supplements you might use.
Get some exercise each day.
Look for ways to reduce stress in your life.
Be aware of times when your immune system may be under pressure. Stress, allergic disorders and menstrual cycles may be factors in catching a cold.
Good hygiene—keeping yourself and your surroundings clean—can kill a cold before it even gets started.
Keep bathroom and kitchen sink areas clean, with fresh towels, disposable paper napkins and plenty of tissues within easy reach.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
Always wash hands before eating or preparing food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Encourage children and others with colds to sneeze or cough into a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. Rhinoviruses have been shown to live for up to three hours outside nasal passages—on doorknobs, bus rails and people's hands.

Cold weather doesn't cause colds. But people under significant psychological stress are more prone to colds than those under less stress, regardless of the weather.

What Can You Do Once You Have a Cold?

By the time you've got a cold, it's too late to do much about it but muddle through—and the average one lasts about two weeks. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and can't be cured with antibiotics.

Decongestants and cough suppressants are aimed at relieving symptoms, but these products won't cure or even shorten the course of the cold. Antihistamines, although found in many over-the-counter cold remedies, generally don't relieve cold symptoms. Some decongestants may help, but when overused they may trigger repeat congestion or worsening of symptoms.

Avoid aspirin and acetaminophen since they can actually increase nasal symptoms. Doctors also caution that aspirin should not be given to any child or teenager suffering from any viral illness because of the link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal childhood ailment.

There's still no cure for the common cold. Plenty of rest and plenty of liquids continue to be the basic treatment for uncomplicated colds. Some research suggests that once a cold hits, extra amounts of Vitamin C may shorten the discomfort by a few days.

Steamy chicken soup can help relieve nasal congestion.

When Is a Cold Not a Cold?

Cold symptoms generally are mild to moderate and should disappear within about two weeks. You should seek medical attention if:

any of your symptoms are serious—high fever, facial or other pain, significantly swollen glands or coughing that produces mucus. You may have the flu or an infection.
symptoms last longer than two weeks. You may have a sinus infection.
symptoms seem to go away and then come back. You may have allergies.