Common Colds

It’s not enough that we are challenged by Covid-19. How about that ever-present common cold? This writer is a recent victim of the very common cold and has some interesting research to share.

CDC Cold Quiz

Let’s begin with a short quiz from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Antibiotics will help you recover from a cold.

False. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. They may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them when you don’t need them.

Rhinoviruses are the most common causes for colds.

True. Many different viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections.  (See the picture above.)

Colds are never serious for anyone.

False. You should see a doctor if you or your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Temperature higher than 100.4°F
• Symptoms last more than 10 days
• Symptoms that are severe or unusual

Most people recover from colds within about 7 – 10 days. People with weakened immune systems, asthma, or conditions that affect the lungs and breathing passages may develop serious illness such as pneumonia.

Colds are most common winter and spring.

True. Most people get colds in the winter and spring. It is also possible to get a cold any time of year.

You can get a cold from someone by shaking their hand.

True. Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. This can happen when you shake hands with someone who has a cold after they have sneezed or coughed into their hands, or touched a doorknob that has viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

Common Cold Symptoms

Between one and three days after a cold virus enters the body symptoms start developing.

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Loss of taste and/or smell

Sounds a lot like Covid or the flu, right? The symptoms for both are below.

Flu Symptoms

• Fever/Chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Covid-19 Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and may be mild to severe.

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Loss of taste and/or smell
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

How to Protect Yourself and Others

Remember the array of steps to take for avoiding Covid? The steps are the same for both the cold and flu. Here’s a list.

• Stay at home while you are sick and keep children out of school or daycare while they are sick.
• Avoid close contact with others, such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands.
• Move away from people before couching or sneezing and completely cover your mouth and nose.
• Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as toys, doorknobs, and mobile devices.

Dean and Draper

We hope you escape all three of our viral nemeses this season and find our information useful.

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Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, American Lung Association.