The common cold is highly communicable disease characterized by inflammation of mucous membrane of nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi etc.

Almost everybody suffers from this illness once or twice in a year especially in winter season, and children are more susceptible. Adults usually recover promptly and completely but viral pneumonia may be fatal to children. If the common cold is neglected, it may lead to serious complications of upper respiratory tract.

Causes

The common cold is caused by a filterable virus. Any person who comes into contact with another person having the cold may also get it. Other causes of the common cold may include sudden changes in temperature, improper food, obstructions of the nose, fatigue, exposure to cold, lack of sleep and dampness.

The virus is transmitted by direct contact, by droplet infection or through things like handkerchief, towel, book, notebook, pens or any other object that might be exchanged.

It can last anywhere from a few hours to 2 or 3 days. Sometimes it lasts for seven days. The immunity is short lived.

Signs and Symptoms

During the common cold the mucous membrane of the nose becomes swollen and the secretions copious. There is sneezing, running of nose, watery discharge from eyes, sometimes followed by body ache and head ache.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for common cold. Rest is advisable to give relief from body ache and headache. Analgesics may be helpful in this respect. Common cold generally lasts for a regular course of 1-2 weeks and the immune system eventually cures the problem, although early treatment shortens the length of the cold.