| The common cold is a term often used by patients in | | | | major complication of a cold is the secondary |
| different ways, usually referring to symptoms of | | | | bacterial infection to the ears, nose, sinuses, bronchi |
| upper respiratory infections. Most specifically, the | | | | or lungs. |
| term means afebrile, infectious acute coryza. More | | | | Treatment for the common cold includes good fluid |
| broadly, the term refers to acute upper respiratory | | | | intake, rest, prevention of chilling, a quantity of nasal |
| infection and terms such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, | | | | decongestants, bronchodilators and expectorants as |
| laryngitis, chest cold and so on distinguish the sites of | | | | needed. Gargles of warm salt water soothes the |
| the major symptoms. These symptoms are nasal | | | | sore throat, aspirin relieves the general constitutional |
| discharge and obstruction, sore throat, sneezing, | | | | symptoms. The use of disposable tissues and their |
| malaise, feverishness, chilliness and often headache | | | | hygienic disposal, covering of the mouth when |
| and muscular pains. | | | | coughing, and avoidance of crowding are offered as |
| As the cold progresses, a cough usually appears. The | | | | the way of prevention. |
| symptoms last from five days up to two weeks. If | | | | The most uncomfortable and dangerous upper |
| there is significant fever or more severe symptoms | | | | respiratory tract infection is produced by the Group |
| with the respiratory symptoms, then we are no | | | | A streptococcus. This type of infection is |
| longer dealing with a common cold but with one of | | | | characterized by the abrupt onset of sore throat, |
| the other acute upper respiratory infections. Over | | | | chilly sensations, temperature elevations, headache |
| one hundred different viruses are known to produce | | | | and general malaise. Children may experience acute |
| the symptoms of the common cold. And about ten | | | | abdominal pain, nausea and repeated vomiting during |
| percent of colds seem simultaneously associated with | | | | the acute phase of the infection. |
| more than one virus. Allergic conditions affecting the | | | | The pharynx is diffusely reddened; the tonsils and |
| nose can also mimic the symptoms of a cold. | | | | the tonsillar nodes beneath the angles of the |
| Colds are highly contagious and patients shed virus | | | | mandible enlarge; the uvula becomes edematous. A |
| for approximately two days before the symptoms | | | | patchy or confluent secretion covers the tonsils and |
| appear and during the first part of their symptomatic | | | | the pharynx. Individuals who are not immune to the |
| phase. Colds exist among fifteen per cent of the | | | | exotoxin of the Group A streptococcus are likely to |
| working population during the winter. Three waves of | | | | develop the typical rash of scarlet fever, hence the |
| colds appear in the United States yearly, the fall just | | | | face becomes flushed. |
| after school re-opens, in midwinter and in spring. The | | | | |