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Viral Respiratory Illness in Adults (Common Colds)
Viral Respiratory Illness in Adults (Common Colds)The common cold, technically known as an upper respiratory infection, is something that virtually all of usexperience at some point. On average, adults get two to three colds a year.Rhinoviruses cause most colds. More than a hundred different strains of this virus can make you sick.“A cold is a viral infection that is spread by air droplets and touch. So, for example if somebody wascoughing, they covered their mouth and then touched a doorknob and you came through the sameroom and touched that doorknob and then touched your face, you’ve now been exposed to the cold.When they’re coughing, they don’t cover their mouth and you’re in the same room and you breathe inthose droplets, then you’ve been exposed to the cold.”Colds often begin with a sore throat, followed by a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing, and then a cough. Thesesymptoms which are caused by the body’s efforts to fight the cold virus typically go away on their own afterseven to 10 days.There’s no cure for the common cold, but some treatments may help relieve symptoms. These include overthe-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin; Decongestants, either in pill form or nasalsprays, open a clogged nose. But using sprays for more than 3 days may make congestion worse. AndAntihistamines block a substance that causes congestion. They can help in the first day or two of a cold, butsome can make you sleepy.Check with your provider to make sure these medicines are safe for you if you take prescription medications orhave an underlying condition. And always follow instructions on the package. Some treatments are bestavoided.“There’s little evidence that over-the-counter cough medicines are effective. And antibiotics are noteffective against viruses, so they shouldn’t be prescribed for a cold.”Similarly, alternative treatments like Vitamin C and Echinacea have not been proven effective against colds.Instead, focus on getting plenty of fluids and adequate sleep. And avoid spreading your germs by washing yourhands frequently with soap and water. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough – ideally into atissue or your upper shirt sleeve rather than your hands.You’re most contagious in the two to four days after your symptoms start, which is often when you feel theworst.“If your symptoms of a cold don't improve within a week or two or your symptoms start getting worse you start having a fever great than 102, if you start having difficulty breathing, pain in your chest, thoseare reasons to be seen by your physician to be reevaluated for something more serious.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG54182A EN ViralRespiratoryIllnessInAdults.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
HIV/AIDS & Infectious Diseases
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