Overview
Symptoms
Symptoms of the common cold include:
- A sore throat
- A runny nose
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- A headache
- Muscular aches
- Low grade fever
The symptoms are the same in adults and children but in children the symptoms can last longer.
Causes
Colds are caused by three types of virus:
- Rhinoviruses
- Coronaviruses
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Colds are not caused by bacteria so antibiotics have no effect on them. They spread when infected people cough, sneeze or talk and send droplets containing the virus into the air. These are then inhaled by others who are nearby. These viruses are also contagious and can be spread by touch, that is, by hand-to-hand contact or by sharing contaminated objects.
Treatment
There’s no cure for the common cold nor is there a vaccine, but you can take these steps to avoid catching a cold virus:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitiser gel with 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue immediately then wash your hands or cough and sneeze into your elbow
- Clean kitchen and bathroom countertops with disinfectant, especially when someone in your family has a cold.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue immediately then wash your hands or cough and sneeze into your elbow
- Don’t share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold.
Treatment is directed at relieving signs and symptoms and include:
- Pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen for the fever, sore throat and headache.
- Nasal sprays or drops for decongestion for up to five days.
- Cough medicines depending on the type of cough
The pharmacy first service is available for the treatment of cold symptoms.