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The Common Cold 1

The Common The Common Cold 2

Cold The Common Cold

Introduction: What Is The Common Cold?

The common cold, also known as a head cold or simply a

cold, is a disease of the respiratory system. It is caused by

different groups of viruses and characterized by itching in the

nose, regular sneezing, runny nose and chills. These

symptoms could be followed by an uncomfortable throat,

tiredness, dizziness, mild headache and thick mucus secretion (Eccles & Weber, 2009).

A Brief History of The Common Cold

The common cold is centuries old and its symptoms along with treatment are present in

the oldest Egyptian medical literature (de Graaf, Osterhaus, Fouchier, & Holmes, 2008).

Some studies also reported the presence of the common cold during the Stone Age

(Dorfer et al., 1999). The name “cold” was used first in the 16th century due to the

resemblance of its symptoms with the effects of cold weather on the human body. The

most common cause of the common cold, i.e. Rhinovirus, was first identified in 1956 by

researchers from the United Kingdom (UK).

Research to find the treatment for the common cold has been going on since ancient

times. Hippocrates, in 400 BC, discovered that bleeding was slightly effective in the

treatment of the common cold (although of course it didn’t really help). Later on, a

Roman philosopher recommended that people “kiss the hairy muzzle of a mouse” in

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order to feel better. In 1970 and 1979, the miraculous effects of zinc and vitamin C were

discovered for the relief of the common cold. However, medical research is still anxious

about the prevention and treatment of the common cold (Atzl & Helms, 2009).

Causes of The Common Cold

The common cold is caused by almost 100 different varieties of

the Rhinovirus. In some cases, other types of viruses are also

involved. Due to this reason, people have many episodes of the

common cold during the year and are unable to prepare their

immune system beforehand. A cold may occur at any time in a

year, but it is most prevalent during the fall and winter seasons.

Thus, it is not specifically caused by cold weather (Diane E

Pappas, 2015).

How A Cold Develops: A complex interaction is involved between the host (infected

person) and virus during the development of the common cold. A detailed mechanism for

the development of the common cold is still not well understood however, it is believed

that the main site for the replication of the virus is nasopharynx (nasal/throat area)

(Winther, Gwaltney, Mygind, Turner, & Hendley, 1986).

First, the virus is deposited into the nasal mucosa and

eyes. It then enters the nose via the lacrimal duct. From

the nose, it is transported to the nasopharynx. After that, it

gains entry into epithelial cells (cells lining the

nasopharynx) by binding with receptors. Here it starts to

replicate to produce infection. The infection progresses

and causes the blood vessels to dilate (get larger) and the

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permeability of the nasal lining to change (more stuff can get through). This leads to

nasal blockages and a runny nose. Moreover, increased mucous secretion and sneezing

also starts (Heikkinen & Järvinen, 2003).

The incubation period (time between first becoming infected and showing symptoms) of

the common cold virus is 1-7 days (Nicholson, 1998). The common cold starts with a

sore throat and nasal stuffiness. This is followed by sneezing, cough and nasal discharge

with an infrequent fever (Igarashi et al., 1993). Other symptoms may be a change in voice

pattern, mild headache, fatigue and malaise (Nicholson, 1998). The symptoms of the

common cold last for an average of 14 days. The common cold is transmitted due to

direct contact with the infected person or from the virus being present in the atmosphere

(Dorfer et al., 1999).

Current Treatment of The Common Cold

The common cold is caused by many different viruses variations, which is why there is

no universal treatment for it. Therefore, symptomatic treatment is provided to resolve the

disturbing symptoms with the help of over the counter medications (Heikkinen &

Järvinen, 2003).

Classes of drugs used during the symptomatic treatment of the common cold include;

anti-allergic, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, and mucus thinners. However, the

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended not to use these

medications in children under 6 years of age due to the side effects of these medications

(Eccles & Weber, 2009).

Among home remedies, humidified air and saline nasal drops may improve symptoms of

nasal congestion and runny nose. For a cough, honey is helpful for children older than 12

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months. Adequate intake of food and fluids should be maintained for further relief from

the symptoms.

It is worth mentioning here that antibiotics are not effective in treating the common cold

due to the viral nature of the disease. However, they may be required during the bacterial

complications caused by the common cold. Further, the use of nasal sprays containing

steroids (used to unblock stuffy noses) should be avoided in children (Diane E Pappas,

2015).

A number of alternate products such as zinc and vitamin C are also used to relieve the

symptoms, but the use of these products is not encouraged due to the lack of evidence

regarding their effectiveness.

Appropriate hygiene measures can help in the prevention of the

common cold. Methods such as; thorough hand washing with soap,

using alcohol-based hand rubs as well as the implementation of

household cleaners to kill viruses can be used to prevent the spread of

the common cold (Diane E Pappas, 2015).

Impact of The Common Cold

The common cold is the one of the most prevalent diseases we have across the globe. It is

a self-limiting disease and confined only to the upper respiratory tract. But, in some

patients, it can cause severe problems due to the spread of the virus to other parts of the

body (Heikkinen & Järvinen, 2003). Despite our development in medicine, it is a great

burden in terms of suffering and economic losses due to visits to the hospitals and loss of

work (Adams, Hendershot, & Marano, 1999). Infants and children are the populations

most affected by the common cold and children 6 years old and younger suffer from six

to eight colds per year. This is ultimately responsible for about twenty-two million

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missed days of education. Moreover, 150 million days of work are missed which cost

about $20 billion annually to the economy (Diane E Pappas, 2015).

Future Prospects of The Common Cold

Due to the role of viruses in the common cold, antivirals could be used in the prevention

as well as in the treatment of this disease. That is why current research is focused on the

testing of antivirals against the Rhinovirus (Eccles & Weber, 2009). Development of

sophisticated techniques to detect the nature of the viruses causing outbreaks is also being

worked on. Additional research on the host response and viral interaction during the

common cold is also ongoing. Moreover, there is also a dire need for the awareness of

programs about the ineffectiveness of the antibiotics in the treatment of the common cold

(Heikkinen & Järvinen, 2003).

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What are the symptoms of the common cold?

2. Why was it called a cold?

3. What is the general name of the virus that causes the common cold?

4. Describe how a cold virus “takes hold” inside its host.

5. What is an “incubation period” and how long does it last for in the common cold?

6. How is the cold spread?

7. How is a cold treated?

8. Why are antibiotics not used to treat a cold?

9. What hygiene measure(s) can be used to prevent you from getting a cold?

10. Which population is most likely to get sick from the common cold and how often

on average, do they suffer from it?

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11. Regarding your answer to number 10 above, explain why you think this might be

the case.

12. Antibiotics are used too often to treat a cold even though they have absolutely no

effect. From your previous knowledge, why is the overuse of antibiotics a bad

thing?

13. What will you do in the future to prevent yourself from getting sick?

Reading Comprehension Questions: Answer Key

1. What are the symptoms of the common cold? Symptoms include: itching in the nose, regular

sneezing, runny nose, chills, uncomfortable throat, tiredness, dizziness, mild headache and

thick mucus secretion.

2. Why was it called a cold? It was named a cold due to its resemblance of the effects of cold

weather on the human being

3. What is the general name of the virus that causes the common cold? Rhinovirus.

4. Describe how a cold virus “takes hold” inside its host. First, the virus is deposited into the

nasal mucosa and eyes. Then it enters the nose via lacrimal duct. From the nose, it is

transported to the nasopharynx. After that, it gains entry into epithelial cells (cells lining the

nasopharynx) by binding with receptors. Here it starts to replicate to produce infection.

5. What is an “incubation period” and how long does it last for in the common cold? The

incubation period is the time between being exposed to the virus and the beginning of

symptoms. For a cold, this is between 1-7 days.

6. How is the cold spread? Direct contact or through the air.

7. How is a cold treated? A cold is treated by treating its symptoms including: anti-allergic,

nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, and mucus expectorants.

8. Why are antibiotics not used to treat a cold? Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections,

the cold is a viral infection.

9. What hygiene measure(s) can be used to prevent you from getting a cold? Methods such as;

hand washing with soap for a few seconds, use of alcohol-based hand rubs and use of a

household cleaner to kill virus could be applied to prevent the spread of the virus of the

common cold.

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10. Which population is most likely to get sick from the common cold and how often, on average, do

they suffer from it? Infants and children – 6-8 colds per year.

11. Regarding your answer to number 10 above, explain why you think this might be the case. Why

does this population catch a cold so often?

12. Antibiotics are used too often to treat a cold even though they have absolutely no effect. From

your previous knowledge, why is the overuse of antibiotics a bad thing?

13. What will you do in the future to prevent yourself from getting sick?

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BibliographyAdams, P. F., Hendershot, G. E., & Marano, M. A. (1999). Current estimates from the National

Health Interview Survey, 1996. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(200), 1-203.

Atzl, I., & Helms, R. (2009). A short history of the common cold Common Cold (pp. 1-21): Springer.

de Graaf, M., Osterhaus, A. D., Fouchier, R. A., & Holmes, E. C. (2008). Evolutionary dynamics of human and avian metapneumoviruses. Journal of general virology, 89(12), 2933-2942.

Diane E Pappas. (2015, December 2015). Patient information: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics). Retrieved 01/04, 2016, from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/the-common-cold-in-children-beyond-the-basics

Dorfer, L., Moser, M., Bahr, F., Spindler, K., Egarter-Vigl, E., Giullen, S., . . . Kenner, T. (1999). A medical report from the stone age? The Lancet, 354(9183), 1023-1025.

Eccles, R., & Weber, O. (2009). Common cold: Springer Science & Business Media.Heikkinen, T., & Järvinen, A. (2003). The common cold. The Lancet, 361(9351), 51-59. Igarashi, Y., Skoner, D. P., Doyle, W. J., White, M. V., Fireman, P., & Kaliner, M. A. (1993).

Analysis of nasal secretions during experimental rhinovirus upper respiratory infections. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 92(5), 722-731.

Nicholson, K. (1998). Human influenza. Textbook of influenza. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 219-266.

Winther, B., Gwaltney, J. M., Mygind, N., Turner, R. B., & Hendley, J. O. (1986). Sites of rhinovirus recovery after point inoculation of the upper airway. Jama, 256(13), 1763-1767.

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