The Common Cold: Causes, Symptoms, and What To Do

The common cold - we’ve all had it. In fact, it’s the most frequently occurring illness is the world, and the leading cause of missed work and school days. But what causes our bodies to weaken, our noses to run, and sleep to take over several times a day when we have it?

Rhinoviruses

Many different viruses can cause a cold, but most of the time, a common cold is caused by the rhinovirus - cute name, but it can seriously affect your whole day or entire week. Rhinoviruses get into your cells lining your nose and start multiplying. It comes from other people - contrary to popular belief, colds do not come from cold weather. Cold weather does, however, make people stay together indoors, and that creates the perfect environment for colds. The virus can be more easily transmitted when people are together in large groups. The virus moves from person to person typically by hand-to-hand contact, airborne droplets, or by touching an intermediate surface, like a doorknob that someone with the virus has touched. From there, if you touch your infected hands to your eyes, well - you’re a bit of a goner when it comes to the cold virus.

Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses sound like a combination of a good night out and the common cold, but in reality, they’re, well - really just common colds, and cause about 20% of adult colds, according to scientists. Out of the over 30 or 40 coronaviruses, only three or four infect humans, so it’s much more likely that you’ll come down with a rhinovirus.

How can you tell if you’ve come down with the common cold? Symptoms include: sore throat, cough, runny nose, sneezing, nasal stuffiness and drainage, hoarseness, low-grade fever, head and body aches, watery eyes, and fatigue. Signs and symptoms are similar in infants, too - the cold starts with a runny nose, with clear nasal drainage, which can become yellow or green in color. Infants and kids may also be fussy and have decreased appetite. Rarer symptoms include muscle aches, shivering, pink eye, weakness, decreased appetite, and extreme exhaustion. However, about 25% of people with a common cold do not show any signs or symptoms of having one.

But How Do You Feel Better?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the common cold. It’s a “self-limited” illness that can change at whim with time and expectant management. Home remedies and treatment can help ease symptoms and get you feeling back to normal faster. Make sure to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications, like N’ICE lozenges, can help soothe and ease raw throats. Keep in mind that they can lessen symptoms, though they aren’t a cure. Gargling with warm saltwater helps as well. Decongestants or antihistamines can be used for nasal symptoms - saline solutions are also beneficial to your health.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help with reducing fever, making that sore throat feel better, ease your headaches, and soothe your body aches. Don’t use aspirin or medications containing aspirin in kids or teens, since it has been connected with a rare, fatal disease called Reye’s syndrome. Patients with Reye’s show signs of mental status change and will often vomit. That’s not something you want to add on to an already miserable illness. The USDA and manufacturers now say that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be used on children younger than 4-years-old.

While pushing the fluids, make sure you take your mom’s advice and eat plenty of chicken noodle soup - it’ll keep you hydrated and the protein in the chicken is good for your body. Follow the above simple, easy steps, and your body will be back to normal soon.