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Managing the Common Cold

The common cold, also known as upper respiratory infection (URI), can be caused by any of more than 200 viruses. These viruses attack and multiply in the cells that line the nose and throat.
Method of spreading

Contrary to popular belief, colds are not spread primarily through coughing or sneezing. Colds are more commonly spread hand-to-hand. If you shake, touch, or hold the hand of an infected person (who may not have apparent symptoms) and then touch your eyes or nose, you are likely to infect yourself with the virus. In addition, you can "catch" a cold if you touch your eyes or nose after touching a hard, nonporous surface-such as a telephone or a doorknob-shortly after an infected person touched it.

Symptoms

The aches and pains that we usually call a cold are really signs that the body is fighting the infection. These signs and symptoms can include:

• Scratchy or sore throat
• Sneezing
• Clear nasal discharge
• Tenderness around the eyes
• Stuffy nose
• Tearing (watery ) eyes
• Full feeling in the ears
• Achiness
• Cough, dry or with clear or white mucus
• General "tired" feeling

Symptoms usually last about a week, although they can last as long as two.

Medication Tips

Americans spend more than $550 million each year on cold remedies but much of this money is wasted. Cold remedies that claim to relieve many symptoms simultaneously often are not the most effective remedies and may not be worth the cost. It may be best to choose a single-action remedy. These include:

• Decongestant (Sudafed, Afrino) for congestion; often recommended for use during the day; no drowsiness, relieves pressure
• Mild antihistamines (Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetane) for runny nose; often recommended for use at night; promotes fast drying
• Dextromethorphan cough suppressant for dry coughs (Delsym, Benylin DM)
• Cough syrup with an expectorant (Robitussin) for coughs with phlegm
• Vitamin C and hot soups have been championed as cold remedies. Vitamin C may give some people relief although it remains controversial as a remedy. Hot soups have been shown to temporarily ease nasal congestion, probably because of the effect warm liquids have on mucus.

Prevention

You may not be able to prevent all of the colds coming your way, but by following these precautions you can keep most of them at bay.

• Wash you hands often and avoid touching your face.
• Use disposable tissues.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Avoid prolonged contact with people who have colds.
• Keep your stress level down.
• Keep your room humidity moderate to high

Treatment Dos and Don'ts

Experts estimate that Americans suffer about one billion colds each year and there is still no cure in sight. The good news is that every healthy person has an immune system capable of producing cells specifically able to destroy cold viruses. Your body will respond with symptoms three or four days after the cold virus invasion.

At present, most cold care suggestions are aimed at symptom relief and immune system support. There is no medicine that directly attacks that cold virus. For best results, consider the following.

• Don't smoke. I f that is impossible, at least cut back. Smoking will further irritate your nasal passages and increase your risk of getting bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Do drink large quantities of liquids, particularly hot liquids, soothe that throat and help loosen secretions, relieving nasal congestion. Caffeine and alcoholic beverages, however will dehydrate you and otherwise slow your recovery unless used in very small quantities.
• Do gargle with salt water to help reduce swelling in your throat. Use one teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water every four hours.
• Do get plenty of rest. Your body needs the time to allow you to recover. Let your body be your guide in determining how much to restrict your activities.
• Do take aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to ease aches and pains and to lower fever.
• Do use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs. Researchers have shown that cold viruses can survive for hours on handkerchiefs.
• Do inhale warm, moist air to soothe inflamed mucous membranes. To do this, take showers and put a pan of water in your bedroom radiator or use a cool-mist humidifier.
• Don't treat your cold with an antibiotic:
• Antibiotics don't work for a viral infection: Antibiotics combat bacterial infections-not viral infections. There are no medicines that directly attack the cold virus. With few exceptions, it is up to the body's own immune system to gear up to combat a viral infection.
• Antibiotics are not harmless: Unsuspected allergies to an antibiotic can cause problems ranging from rashes to respiratory failure and death.

By altering the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth, abdomen, and vagina, use of antibiotics can cause mouth sores, diarrhea, or vaginitis.

Misuse of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, making them ineffective when you really need them.

Antibiotics are a waste of money unless your lab tests confirm that you have a bacterial infection. (Or, if your care provider finds that your symptoms suggest a bacterial infection.)