'More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the cold. Rhinoviruses are the most
common infecting agents but they seldom produce serious illnesses'.
WE HAVE entered the "sniffles season" in Jamaica when many people fall prey to the common cold. Children are most vulnerable and are likely to have six to 10 bouts per year. This may be related to the youngster's low resistance to infection and to contact with other children in day care centres or schools. Although the symptoms of this illness are mild, the condition is the leading cause of visits to doctors' offices and pharmacies with consequent enormous impact on productivity and the economy.
The first signs of a cold are sneezing, scratchy throat and runny nose. These may appear as early as 10 hours after infection, increasing in frequency and severity for 48 hours. Later, some persons also experience obstruction of breathing, headaches and weakened sense of taste and smell. Infants and young children may have a slight fever. If symptoms persist for longer than 14 days, an allergy may exist.
The common cold can be complicated by secondary bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. However, the "just in case" use of antibiotics is not beneficial. Also, nose blowing brings relief but creates high pressure in the nose and propels nasal fluid into the sinus. This can lead to another complication infected sinuses.
More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common infecting agents but they seldom produce serious illnesses. A cold is very contagious and is most often spread by the following routes of
transmission:-
Touching infectious respiratory secretions on the skin and on surfaces (rhinoviruses survive up to three hours outside of the nasal passage)
Inhaling relatively large particles of respiratory secretions transported briefly in the air
Inhaling droplet nuclei that are suspended in the air for a long time.
Some researchers suggest that the symptoms of a cold are part of the body's response mechanism to viral invasion. Virus-infected cells attract specialised white blood cells to the site of infection. These white cells emit a range of chemicals including kinins that cause nasal swelling, leakage of protein and fluid from the capillaries and lymph vessels and increased production of mucus. The mucus then traps other invading viruses.
Early treatment at the first recognition of a cold will do the most good. This should be continued on a regular basis for three to seven days or until symptoms disappear. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) preparations that are now tailored to treat a cluster of symptoms.
TIPS FOR RECOVERY
Here are a few tips for speedy recovery:-
Bed rest
Adequate liquid intake (eight glasses of water or fruit juice per day)
Avoid coffee, tea or other caffeine-containing drinks. These lead to dehydration, the opposite of what you need
If you smoke, stop and also stay away from smokers
Many OTC medicines contain similar ingredients. Read labels carefully to avoid
overdosing.
If your child has a cold, wash all of his or her toys after play and do not give medicines that contain aspirin.
Please do not infect others with your cold. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue properly then wash your hands. Hand-washing is a simple and effective way of reducing rhinovirus spread. There is no cure at this time for the common cold. However, early treatment brings relief and reduces the chance of complications. If you want know more about the common cold, ask your pharmacist, you have the right to know!
Ellen Campbell Grizzle, President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) and Director, Information & Research, National Council on Drug abuse (NCDA), Kingston, Jamaica.
