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What is the common cold?

The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory passages, especially the nose and throat. It is caused by any of several types of viruses. It is quite different from influenza (the flu), which is caused by more intense viruses.

What are the symptoms?

The usual symptoms are:

• runny nose, sneezing
• sore throat
• coughing
• sneezing
• sore eyes
• feeling generally unwell

Other possible symptoms are:

• headache
• hoarseness
• fever, with general aches and pains

How is it caught?

If you have a cold, you must have breathed in the virus, which is carried in the air after being coughed or sneezed out by another person with a cold.

What is the treatment?

There is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are of no use for viral infections and are only useful for certain complications. Fortunately, the body's immune system eventually is able to fight the virus by making antibodies. This takes several days. There are several things you can do to feel more comfortable, and to help your body's immune system:

• Rest. It is important to have plenty of sleep and rest when you have a cold. Physical activity puts extra demands on the immune system.
• Analgesics such as paracetamol and aspirin have several useful effects: they control fever and inflammation, and they are effective pain-killers. The adult dose of paracetamol or aspirin is 2 tablets every 4 hours (up to a maximum of 8 per day).
• A blocked nose can be considerably helped by inhaling steam. One way s to put boiled water into a basin with menthol or friar's balsam, then put a towel over your head and breathe the steam in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Usually, coughing is to clear away unwanted material. If you have a dry cough, however, and it is very distressing, you may suppress it with a cough mixture. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about this.
• Gargling aspirin in water or lemon juice can soothe a sore throat.
• Some people claim that taking large doses of vitamin C helps them recover more quickly from a cold.

Your cold can be cleared up in a few days, but can last up to 10 days. Sometimes you can get a bacterial complication, which may require antibiotics.

If you get any of the following, you should see the doctor:

• a sore ear
• chest pain or difficulty in breathing
• a lot of green mucus from your chest or nose
• a sore throat without other symptoms

How can it be prevented?

It is important to consider whether you have a reason for this cold. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep are important requirements to keep your immune system in tiptop shape.

Copyright 1995: John Murtagh, Professor of General Practice
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia