The common cold
Summary
The common cold is a conventional term for a mild upper respiratory illness, the hallmark symptoms of which are nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, sore throat, and cough1.
Causes
The common cold is mostly caused by viruses. Rhinoviruses have been found to be the most common cause in all age. More than 100 different serotypes of rhinoviruses have been identified. Viral infection of the nasal mucosa results in vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, which in turn cause nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea, which are the main clinical symptoms of the common cold1.
Viral cause of the common cold1
Viral cause of the common cold1
| Virus | Estimated annual proportion of cases |
| Rhinoviruses | 30-50% |
| Coronaviruses | 10-15% |
| Influenza viruses | 5-15% |
| Respiratory syncytial virus | 5% |
| Parainfluenza viruses | 5% |
| Adenoviruses | ＜5% |
| Enteroviruses | ＜5% |
| Metapneumovirus | Unknown |
| Unknown | 20-30% |
Symptions
As the viral infection quickly spreads, the inflammatory cascade is activated. Infected cells signal the production of cytokines and chemokines (e.g., platelet-activating factor, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and bradykinins) that activate inflammatory and immunocompetent cells. Generally, Clinical symptoms occur within 16 hours after infection2.
The mean duration of the common cold is 7–10 days, but in a proportion of patients some symptoms can still be present after 3 weeks1.
1.Rhinovirus infections typically start with a sore throat, which is soon accompanied by nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, and cough. The soreness of the throat usually disappears quickly, 2.whereas the initial watery rhinorrhoea turns thicker and more purulent.
2.Other symptoms associated with the cold syndrome include hoarseness, headache, malaise, and lethargy. Myalgia is an occasional complaint in patients with colds.
3.Fever is an infrequent finding during rhinovirus infections in adults, but it is fairly common in children with upper respiratory infections of any cause.
The mean duration of the common cold is 7–10 days, but in a proportion of patients some symptoms can still be present after 3 weeks1.
1.Rhinovirus infections typically start with a sore throat, which is soon accompanied by nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, and cough. The soreness of the throat usually disappears quickly, 2.whereas the initial watery rhinorrhoea turns thicker and more purulent.
2.Other symptoms associated with the cold syndrome include hoarseness, headache, malaise, and lethargy. Myalgia is an occasional complaint in patients with colds.
3.Fever is an infrequent finding during rhinovirus infections in adults, but it is fairly common in children with upper respiratory infections of any cause.
Treatment
1.Since the common cold is caused by a multitude of different virus types, that an effective universal treatment for this disorder has not been developed is understandable. The symptomatic treatment of colds has been aimed at relieving the most disturbing symptoms of the illness.
2.There are a host of nonprescription medications available to treat the complex of symptoms associated with the common cold including decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, expectorants and analgesic-antipyretic.
3.Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are recommended antipyretic to be used in children which have good safety profiles.
1. Terho Heikkinen, Asko J?rvinen. The common cold. THE LANCET. 2003, 361: 51-59.
2. 中国医师协会呼吸医师分会, 中国医师协会急诊医师分会. 普通感冒规范诊治的专家共识. 中华内科杂志. 2012, 51(4): 330-333.
3. 特殊人群普通感冒规范用药专家组. 特殊人群普通感冒规范用药的专家共识. 国际呼吸杂志. 2015, 35(1): 1-5.
2.There are a host of nonprescription medications available to treat the complex of symptoms associated with the common cold including decongestants, antihistamines, antitussives, expectorants and analgesic-antipyretic.
3.Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are recommended antipyretic to be used in children which have good safety profiles.
1. Terho Heikkinen, Asko J?rvinen. The common cold. THE LANCET. 2003, 361: 51-59.
2. 中国医师协会呼吸医师分会, 中国医师协会急诊医师分会. 普通感冒规范诊治的专家共识. 中华内科杂志. 2012, 51(4): 330-333.
3. 特殊人群普通感冒规范用药专家组. 特殊人群普通感冒规范用药的专家共识. 国际呼吸杂志. 2015, 35(1): 1-5.
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