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Common Cold: Milan Karki 4062
Common Cold: Milan Karki 4062
Milan karki
4062
Introduction
• Common cold is acute, self limiting viral infectious disease of
the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose,
sinuses, pharynx and larynx.
• Also called as acute infective rhinitis, acute coryza, acute rhino
pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis.
• Begins as a fatigue, headache, sneezing followed by runny
nose and cough in couple of days.
Epidemiology
•Most common infectious disease and affects people all over the
globe.
Adults - 2 to 5 infections per year
Children - 6 to 10 infections per year
Epidemiological determinants
• Agent factors
– Rhinovirus
– Coronavirus
– Respiratory syncytial virus
– Influenza virus
– Para influenza virus
– Adenovirus
– Enterovirus
• Host factors
– Pediatric patients (infant, young children)
– Elderly person
– Immune-compromised
• Environmental factors
–Cases of common cold usually occur in winter and
autumn in temperate region.
Mode of transmission
–Hand to hand contact
–The disease is spread by droplet infection or fomites.
Incubation period
–1 to 2 days
Clinical features
It presents as acute mild and self limited catarrhal
syndrome with a median duration of about 1 week.
Rhinorrhea
Nasal congestion
Cough
Sore throat
Sneezing
Fever( especially in children)
Generalized malaise
Lymphadenopathy
Hoarseness
Headache
Throat discomfort
Decreased sense of smell
Complication may arise if the symptoms last beyond 10
days which is due to secondary bacterial infection. Bacterial
infection is accompanied by greenish or yellowish nasal
secretion and unilateral facial or tooth pain.
• Complications are
– Sinusitis
– Bronchitis
– Pneumonia
– Otitis media
Treatment
•Treatment is symptom based.
•Conservative measures like maintaining hydration, getting
rest are essential.
•Nasal decongestant
•NSAIDs (antipyretics and analgesic)
•Antihistamines ( improves cough)
•High dose Vitamin C (improves immunity)
•Antibiotics has no role in treatment of common cold
unless complicated.
Prevention
•Hand washing
•Use of face masks
•Avoid close contact
•No vaccination
Viral Meningitis