Causes
Common colds are caused by viruses. You can get a cold virus from mucus on
a person's hands when they have a cold, such as through a handshake. You can also pick up
the viruses on towels, telephones, money, etc. Cold viruses also travel through coughs and
sneezes. The common cold usually lasts 3 to 7 days and the average person gets 3 or 4
colds a year.
Prevention
Wash your hands often. Keep
them away from your nose, eyes, and mouth. Use a handkerchief or tissues when you sneeze,
cough, or blow your nose. This helps keep you from passing cold viruses to others.
Try not to touch people or their things
when they have a cold.
Get regular exercise.
Get adequate rest.
Follow a healthy diet.
Follow your doctor's or health care
provider's advice before taking vitamins, minerals, and/or herbal supplements that claim
to prevent the common cold.
Time and self-care usually treat a cold. Having a cold leaves you more open to getting bacterial infection, though. If this occurs, you may need an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor.
| Cold & Flu Comparison Chart | ||
| Signs & Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
| Fever, chills | Low fever, if any | Usual; can be a higher fever |
| Headache | Rare | Usual |
| General aches and pains | Mild, if any | Usual; often severe; affect the body all over |
| Fatigue, weakness | Mild, if any | Usual; often severe. Make you want to stay in bed. |
| Runny, stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Mild to moderate; hacking cough | Common; can become severe |
Does a child, especially age 3 or younger, have one or more of
these problems with a cold? Blue color around the lips,
fingernails, or skin Quick breathing or a very hard time
breathing Grunting sounds with breathing Severe cough or wheezing Fever of 101oF or higher in a
baby less than 3 months old; 104oF or higher in a child between 3 months and 3
years old |
 |
| With a cold, does an adult have increasing shortness of breath? |
|
| Do you have any of these problems with the cold? Trouble breathing or wheezing Ear pain or swollen, painful neck glands Headache that persists Sore throat that is very red or has white
spots A cough with mucus that is yellow, green, or
gray Temperature higher than 102oF in
a 3 month to 3 year old; over 104oF in a 3 to 64 year old; 102oF or
higher in someone age 65 or older A bad smell from the throat, nose, or ears |
 |
| Do you have pain or swelling over your sinuses that gets worse
when you bend over or move your head, especially with a fever of 101oF or
higher? |
|
Rest.
Drink lots of liquids. They help clear out
your respiratory tract. This can help prevent other problems, like bronchitis.
Take an over-the-counter medicine for
muscle aches and pains, and/or fever. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
Use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray,
such as Ocean brand.
Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier.
Eat chicken soup. It helps clear out mucus.
Take echinacea, zinc lozenges, and/or
vitamin C as advised by your doctor.
For a sore throat, see Sore Throats.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 2002 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 06/04/02