A cold or common cold is a common infection of the respiratory tract. It is caused by viruses and usually occurs acutely. Typical signs of a cold are mainly hoarseness, sore throat and runny nose.
What is a cold?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the nasal mucosa with “loopholes” for cold viruses (droplet infection). Click to enlarge. A cold or flu-like infection is caused by viruses. In this case, an infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, bronchial tubes) occurs. As a rule, cold viruses are easily transmitted by droplet infection. It is not uncommon for so-called secondary infections with bacteria to occur during a cold. Depending on the extent of the secondary infection, treatment with antibiotics is indicated. A cold, also called a flu-like infection, should not be confused with the flu (influenza), which is usually much more severe. A normal cold lasts between one and two weeks. Adults fall ill with an influenza infection approximately two to four times a year, while children fall ill much more frequently, sometimes up to twelve times a year.
Causes
There are a total of more than 100 different cold viruses that can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing and can lead to a cold. The time from infection to onset of illness, also called the incubation period, is two to five days. The viruses first attack the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. From there, they can spread to the bronchi and sinuses. If the immune system is weakened or the mucous membrane is not intact, the viruses have a much easier time and the body gets sick more quickly. To avoid infection, you should wash your hands after every time you blow your nose, because cold viruses can survive for several hours on the surface of the skin.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
With a cold or an influenza infection, there are typical symptoms. These first appear on the neck. Typical for the beginning of a cold is that the affected persons suffer from unpleasant scratching of the throat, which in the further course extends to sore throat and difficulty swallowing. A short time later, symptoms of the nose such as tingling, itching or burning are added. In addition, an increased sneezing irritation is felt and a thin secretion constantly flows from the nose, which doctors refer to as runny nose. The runny nose is one of the most common signs of the common cold. Thus, it occurs in about 80 percent of all patients. The common cold is caused by inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which swells and produces watery secretions. As the flu infection progresses, the secretion takes on a more viscous consistency (stick cold) and exhibits a yellow-green discoloration. In addition, the patient can no longer breathe properly through the nose and has the feeling that it is blocked. Typical cold symptoms also include a cough, which presents as tough and dry in the early stages. Later, it becomes more mucus-laden and can be coughed up. If the cold viruses spread to the bronchial mucous membranes, bronchitis develops, during which the cough is painful. Other cold symptoms include chills, hoarseness, and headache and aching limbs. In addition, an elevated temperature, fatigue and a general feeling of illness may occur.
Course
A cold usually begins with a runny nose and sneezing. Nasal breathing is impaired by swollen mucous membranes. With bacterial infection, the nasal secretions turn greenish-yellow over time. When the sinuses close, uncomfortable pressure can develop on the ears. Other symptoms include fatigue and listlessness, mild fever, cough, headache, aching limbs and sore throat. After about a week, the symptoms of the common cold slowly begin to subside.
Complications
There are usually no special complications with the common cold. In most cases, everyone has a cold several times a year and can fight it without the help of medications. During the cold, the immune system of the body is weakened and everyday life is restricted. There is pain in the extremities. Likewise, pain occurs in the head and ears. The performance of physical activities or sports is usually no longer possible.The patient feels tired and weakened and can no longer actively participate in life. Complications can arise if the cold develops into an inflammation of the ear or lungs. In this case, treatment with antibiotics is necessary. There are no further complications if the treatment is started early. In most cases, like a cold, it disappears by itself after a few days. The voice and throat are also affected by the common cold. Talking and swallowing is usually associated with pain. Due to the difficulty in swallowing, dehydration and weight loss may occur for a short time.
When should you see a doctor?
A harmless cold is not necessarily a reason to go to the doctor, unless a doctor’s note is needed for the employer. However, some people do not go to the doctor even for worse symptoms. In certain cases, however, a doctor should always be consulted:
- A shortness of breath that occurs may be a symptom of pneumonia, which must necessarily be treated by a doctor.
- Fever in infants or higher fever in adults may indicate a bacterial infection, which may require treatment with antibiotics.
- Severe throat or ear symptoms may be related to a purulent tonsillitis or middle ear infection.
- Severe pain should always be clarified by a doctor.
In general, a doctor should always be consulted if the cold symptoms have not improved after about 7 days, if yellowish-green sputum is present (it may indicate a bacterial infection), persistent pain in the area of the head, neck or chest or if the lymph nodes are swollen. At-risk groups such as asthmatics, people with immunodeficiency, pregnant women, people with cardiovascular disease or chronic illness, and people returning sick from vacation should always consult a physician as a precaution.
Treatment and therapy
In the case of a normal cold, a visit to the doctor is usually not necessary. However, the patient should take it easy physically, get enough sleep and drink plenty of fluids. Hot drinks are particularly beneficial during a cold. Inhalation with special essential oils or with salt water can significantly improve the symptoms. A cold bath is also found to be very pleasant by most patients. In case of a blocked nose, nasal spray with a decongestant effect can be used. However, this spray should not be used for longer than 10 days, as it has a drying effect and the nasal mucous membranes quickly get used to it. Sea water spray is therefore particularly suitable for moistening the nose. Furthermore, care should be taken to keep the head elevated when sleeping to make breathing easier. Cigarettes and alcohol should be avoided altogether during a cold, as they further weaken the immune system. Used tissues should be thrown away immediately after use, and hands should be washed with soap several times a day to rule out self-infection. When eating, attention should be paid to a diet rich in vitamins. It also makes sense to take vitamin C supplements as a dietary supplement. Physical exertion and sports should be completely avoided during a cold, otherwise you risk heart muscle inflammation. Premature exertion can quickly lead to a relapse, so it is essential to make sure that the cold is sufficiently cured.
Outlook and prognosis
A cold usually gets better on its own within a few days to a few weeks, without the need for medical help. Depending on where the bacteria or viruses are located, this results in the typical symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, headache, slight fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. All symptoms can occur simultaneously or one after the other. More severe courses are possible in children and the elderly, as well as patients with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may be worse and more unpleasant, and the cold may last longer. Depending on the pathogen, this is of course also possible in otherwise healthy adults. There is then the possibility of treatment with antibiotics, if the pathogen is bacteria.In principle, there is a risk of spreading with every cold, so the pathogen can also affect deeper organs. The best known is certainly pneumonia, which can develop from a cold if the patient does not take enough rest, for example. If the immune system is severely damaged, for example in the case of diseases such as HIV/AIDS or therapy with immunosuppressants, even a cold that is harmless in itself can become a fatal condition, because the human immune system is the best defense against a cold. If it no longer functions, pathogens can spread unhindered throughout the body – with all the complications that entails.
Aftercare
A cold can occur in many different degrees of severity, so appropriate aftercare depends on many different factors. While the affected person is suffering from a cold, steps can be taken that can lead to significant improvement. These include, for example, a visit to the family doctor or taking appropriate medication. After a cold has been overcome, however, follow-up care should be taken to ensure that the symptoms do not flare up again. The body should not be driven to peak performance immediately, because the entire immune system is still considerably weakened after a cold. It is advisable to avoid heavy work and activities, as there is not yet sufficient strength for this. Taking additional vitamins can be beneficial in this context. Which vitamins should be taken can be discussed with the patient’s own family doctor. Follow-up care is not absolutely necessary when a cold has been overcome. However, some measures can contribute to a faster recovery, so that follow-up care should not be dispensed with. A visit to the doctor can help in this context, because a cold always occurs individually and in varying degrees of severity. In any case, follow-up care does not have a negative effect, but is very likely to contribute to a stronger immune system.
What you can do yourself
A flu-like infection is caused by viruses and can vary greatly depending on the specific pathogen and the patient’s constitution. Mild forms of the common cold can also be self-medicated. For the most common symptoms – cough, cold and sore throat – various over-the-counter medicines are available in pharmacies. In most cases, it also helps if the patient takes it easy for two to three days and stays in bed. If the cold does not improve after a few days or symptoms such as high fever or shortness of breath appear, professional medical help must be sought promptly. After consultation with the doctor, individual symptoms of the common cold can also be treated with mild home remedies. Nasal rinses with warm salt water are helpful against a cold and an inflamed throat. Special nasal douches and suitable salts are available for this purpose in specialist shops and drugstores. The procedure requires some practice and is not necessarily aesthetic, but very effective. Easier to use are steam baths with salt water or chamomile tea. Gargling with sage tea also helps with a severe sore throat. In case of high fever, cold calf compresses provide relief. The patient can also promote recovery by getting plenty of rest, eating a light diet rich in vitamins, and avoiding excessive alcohol and cigarettes.
