COMMON COLD

COMMON COLD
The common cold is
a highly contagious infection (usually caused by rhinoviruses) that is spread by coughing and sneezing.
Infection typically lasts 4-10 days.
Overview
Acute
viral nasopharyngitis, often known as the common cold, is a mild viral
infectious disease of the upper respiratory system (nose and throat).
Symptoms include sneezing, sniffling, stomach aches, runny nose, nasal
congestion; scratchy, sore, or phlegmy throat; coughing; headache; and
tiredness. Those affected may also feel achy.
Colds
typically last three to five days, with residual coughing and/or
catarrh lasting up to three weeks. The common cold is the most common
of all human diseases, infecting adults at an average rate of 2–4
infections per year, and school-aged children as many as 12 times per
year. Infection rates greater than three infections per year per person
are common in some populations. Children and their parents or
caretakers are at a higher risk, possibly due to the high population
density of schools and because transmission to family members is highly
efficient.
The common cold belongs to the upper respiratory tract infections. It
is different from influenza, a more severe viral infection of the
respiratory tract that shows the additional symptoms of rapidly rising
fever, chills, and body and muscle aches. While the common cold itself
is rarely life-threatening, its complications, such as pneumonia, can
be.

Symptoms
Between a third and a half of people exposed to a cold virus become
infected; 75% show symptoms, which start 1-2 days after infection.
Generally,
a cold starts with a sore throat with no respiratory blockage. Later
symptoms are a result of the body's defense mechanisms -- sneezes,
runny nose, and coughs. Coughs expel the invader while inflammation
attracts and activates immune cells. Severe colds can even lead to a
slightly stiff neck and mild to severe headaches with a slight fever
for some.
Often confused with influenza, the common cold is caused by a different
type of virus and usually does not result in a significantly higher
body temperature -- a high fever is a very reliable indicator of the
flu.
After a common cold, a sufferer develops immunity to the particular
virus. This immunity offers only limited protection against the many
other cold viruses. The person, therefore, can easily be infected by a
different cold virus.
Complications
Bacteria that are normally present in the respiratory tract can take
advantage of the weakened immune system during a common cold and
produce a coinfection. Middle ear infection (in children) and bacterial
sinusitis are common coinfections. A possible explanation for these
coinfections is that strong blowing of the nose drives nasal fluids
into those areas.
The best way to blow the nose is keeping both nasal openings open when
blowing and wiping rather than fully covering them, permitting pressure
to partially dissipate. Doing so will reduce the pressure that would
otherwise drive into the ears or sinuses.
Prevention
The best way to avoid a cold is to avoid close contact with existing
sufferers; to wash hands thoroughly and regularly; and to avoid
touching the face. Anti-bacterial soaps have no effect on the cold
virus — it is the mechanical action of hand washing that removes the
virus particles.
Treatment
There is no cure for the common cold. Treatment is limited to
symptomatic supportive options, maximizing the comfort of the patient,
and limiting complications and harmful sequelae.
Since the common cold is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics will have no effect on the virus.
The most effective treatment is a combination of adequate fluid intake, simple analgesia (eg. paracetamol), and rest.

am so fed up with this dam cold i mean not me i havent got one that everyone that i know has got a snotty nose

I get sinus infection all the time so i always have a cold