Common cold
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The common cold, or the cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx.<ref name=CMAJ2014/><ref name=CE11>Template:Cite journal</ref> Signs and symptoms may appear in as little as two days after exposure to the virus.<ref name=CMAJ2014>Template:Cite journal</ref> These may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, fatigue, and fever.<ref name=CDC2015/><ref name=Eccles2005>Template:Cite journal</ref> People usually recover in seven to ten days,<ref name=CDC2015/> but some symptoms may last up to three weeks.<ref name=Heik2003>Template:Cite journal</ref> Occasionally, those with other health problems may develop pneumonia.<ref name=CDC2015/>
Well over 200 virus strains are implicated in causing the common cold, with rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses being the most common.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They spread through the air or indirectly through contact with objects in the environment, followed by transfer to the mouth or nose.<ref name=CDC2015/> Risk factors include going to child care facilities, not sleeping well, and psychological stress.<ref name=CMAJ2014/> The symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves.<ref name=E112>Eccles p. 112</ref> The symptoms of influenza are similar to those of a cold, although usually more severe and less likely to include a runny nose.<ref name=CMAJ2014/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
There is no vaccine for the common cold.<ref name=CDC2015/> This is due to the rapid mutation and wide variation of viruses that cause the common cold.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The primary methods of prevention are hand washing; not touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and staying away from sick people.<ref name=CDC2015/> People are considered contagious as long as the symptoms are still present.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Some evidence supports the use of face masks.<ref name=E209>Eccles p. 209</ref> There is also no cure, but the symptoms can be treated.<ref name=CDC2015/> Zinc may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms if started shortly after the onset of symptoms.<ref name=NIH2016Zinc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help with pain.<ref name=Kim2015>Template:Cite journal</ref> Antibiotics, however, should not be used, as all colds are caused by viruses rather than bacteria.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> There is no good evidence that cough medicines are effective.<ref name=CMAJ2014/><ref name=Mal2017>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans.<ref name=E1>Eccles p. 1</ref> Under normal circumstances, the average adult gets two to three colds a year, while the average child may get six to eight colds a year.<ref name=CE11/><ref name=AFP07>Template:Cite journal</ref> Infections occur more commonly during the winter.<ref name=CDC2015>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These infections have existed throughout human history.<ref name="Eccles p. 3">Template:Cite book</ref>
Signs and symptomsEdit
The typical symptoms of a cold include cough, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and a sore throat, sometimes accompanied by muscle ache, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite.<ref name=E24>Eccles p. 24</ref> A sore throat is present in about 40% of cases, a cough in about 50%,<ref name=CE11/> and muscle aches in about 50%.<ref name=Eccles2005/> In adults, a fever is generally not present but it is common in infants and young children.<ref name=Eccles2005/> The cough is usually mild compared to that accompanying influenza.<ref name=Eccles2005/> While a cough and a fever indicate a higher likelihood of influenza in adults, a great deal of similarity exists between these two conditions.<ref>Eccles p. 26</ref> A number of the viruses that cause the common cold may also result in asymptomatic infections.<ref>Eccles p. 129</ref><ref>Eccles p. 50</ref>
The color of the mucus or nasal secretion may vary from clear to yellow to green and does not indicate the class of agent causing the infection.<ref>Eccles p. 30</ref>
ProgressionEdit
A cold usually begins with fatigue, a feeling of being chilled, sneezing, and a headache, followed in a couple of days by a runny nose and cough.<ref name=E24/> Symptoms may begin within sixteen hours of exposure<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and typically peak two to four days after onset.<ref name=Eccles2005/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They usually resolve in seven to ten days, but some can last for up to three weeks.<ref name=Heik2003/> The average duration of cough is eighteen days<ref name="pmid23319500">Template:Cite journal</ref> and in some cases people develop a post-viral cough which can linger after the infection is gone.<ref name="pmid21198555">Template:Cite journal</ref> In children, the cough lasts for more than ten days in 35–40% of cases and continues for more than 25 days in 10%.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
CausesEdit
VirusesEdit
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract which can be caused by many different viruses. The most commonly implicated is a rhinovirus (30–80%), a type of picornavirus with 99 known serotypes.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Other commonly implicated viruses include coronaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, parainfluenza and RSV.<ref name=ebm>Template:Cite book</ref> Frequently more than one virus is present.<ref>Eccles p. 107</ref> In total, more than 200 viral types are associated with colds.<ref name=Eccles2005 /> The viral cause of some common colds (20–30%) is unknown.<ref name=ebm/>
TransmissionEdit
The common cold virus is typically transmitted via airborne droplets, direct contact with infected nasal secretions, or fomites (contaminated objects).<ref name=CE11/><ref name=Cold197>Template:Cite book</ref> Which of these routes is of primary importance has not been determined.<ref name=E211>Eccles pp. 211, 215</ref> As with all respiratory pathogens once presumed to transmit via respiratory droplets, it is highly likely to be carried by the aerosols generated during routine breathing, talking, and singing.<ref name="prather_jimenez_marr_1">Template:Cite journal</ref> The viruses may survive for prolonged periods in the environment (over 18 hours for rhinoviruses) and can be picked up by people's hands and subsequently carried to their eyes or noses where infection occurs.<ref name=Cold197/> Transmission from animals is considered highly unlikely; an outbreak documented at a British scientific base on Adelaide Island after seventeen weeks of isolation was thought to have been caused by transmission from a contaminated object or an asymptomatic human carrier, rather than from the husky dogs which were also present at the base.<ref name=Allen1973>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Transmission is common in daycare and schools due to the proximity of many children with little immunity and poor hygiene.<ref name=Text2007/> These infections are then brought home to other members of the family.<ref name=Text2007>Template:Cite book</ref> There is no evidence that recirculated air during commercial flight is a method of transmission.<ref name=Cold197/> People sitting close to each other appear to be at greater risk of infection.<ref name=E211/>
OtherEdit
Herd immunity, generated from previous exposure to cold viruses, plays an important role in limiting viral spread, as seen with younger populations that have greater rates of respiratory infections.<ref name=E78/> Poor immune function is a risk factor for disease.<ref name=E78/><ref>Eccles p. 166</ref> Insufficient sleep and malnutrition have been associated with a greater risk of developing infection following rhinovirus exposure; this is believed to be due to their effects on immune function.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Eccles pp. 160–65</ref> Breast feeding decreases the risk of acute otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections among other diseases,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and it is recommended that breast feeding be continued when an infant has a cold.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the developed world breast feeding may not be protective against the common cold in and of itself.<ref name="NelsonWilliams2007">Template:Citation</ref>
PathophysiologyEdit
The symptoms of the common cold are believed to be primarily related to the immune response to the virus.<ref name=E112/> The mechanism of this immune response is virus-specific. For example, the rhinovirus is typically acquired by direct contact; it binds to humans via ICAM-1 receptors and the CDHR3 receptor through unknown mechanisms to trigger the release of inflammatory mediators.<ref name=E112/> These inflammatory mediators then produce the symptoms.<ref name=E112/> It does not generally cause damage to the nasal epithelium.<ref name=Eccles2005/> The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), on the other hand, is contracted by direct contact and airborne droplets. It then replicates in the nose and throat before spreading to the lower respiratory tract.<ref name=E116>Eccles p. 116</ref> RSV does cause epithelium damage.<ref name=E116/> Human parainfluenza virus typically results in inflammation of the nose, throat, and bronchi.<ref name=E122>Eccles p. 122</ref> In young children, when it affects the trachea, it may produce the symptoms of croup, due to the small size of their airways.<ref name=E122/>
DiagnosisEdit
The distinction between viral upper respiratory tract infections is loosely based on the location of symptoms, with the common cold affecting primarily the nose (rhinitis), throat (pharyngitis), and lungs (bronchitis).<ref name=CE11/> There can be significant overlap, and more than one area can be affected.<ref name=CE11/> Self-diagnosis is frequent.<ref name=Eccles2005/> Isolation of the viral agent involved is rarely performed,<ref name=E51>Eccles pp. 51–52</ref> and it is generally not possible to identify the virus type through symptoms.<ref name=Eccles2005/>
PreventionEdit
The only useful ways to reduce the spread of cold viruses are physical and engineering measures<ref name=E209/> such as using correct hand washing technique, respirators, and improvement of indoor air. In the healthcare environment, gowns and disposable gloves are also used.<ref name=E209/> Droplet precautions cannot reliably protect against inhalation of common-cold-laden aerosols. Instead, airborne precautions such as respirators, ventilation, and HEPA/high MERV filters, are the only reliable protection against cold-laden aerosols.<ref name= prather_jimenez_marr_1/> Isolation or quarantine is not used as the disease is so widespread and symptoms are non-specific. There is no vaccine to protect against the common cold.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vaccination has proven difficult as there are so many viruses involved and because they mutate rapidly.<ref name=E209/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Creation of a broadly effective vaccine is, therefore, highly improbable.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Regular hand washing appears to be effective in reducing the transmission of cold viruses, especially among children.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref> Whether the addition of antivirals or antibacterials to normal hand washing provides greater benefit is unknown.<ref name=":0" /> Wearing face masks when around people who are infected may be beneficial; however, there is insufficient evidence for maintaining a greater social distance.<ref name=":0" />
It is unclear whether zinc supplements affect the likelihood of contracting a cold.<ref name=Cochrane2013>Template:Cite journalTemplate:Retracted</ref>
ManagementEdit
Treatments of the common cold primarily involve medications and other therapies for symptomatic relief.<ref name=AFP07/> Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to maintain hydration, and gargling with warm salt water are reasonable conservative measures.<ref name="NIAID2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Much of the benefit from symptomatic treatment is, however, attributed to the placebo effect.<ref>Eccles p. 261</ref> Template:As of no medications or herbal remedies had been conclusively demonstrated to shorten the duration of infection.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SymptomaticEdit
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Treatments that may help with symptoms include pain medication and medications for fevers such as ibuprofen<ref name="Kim2015" /> and acetaminophen (paracetamol).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, it is not clear whether acetaminophen helps with symptoms.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is not known if over-the-counter cough medications are effective for treating an acute cough.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Cough medicines are not recommended for use in children due to a lack of evidence supporting effectiveness and the potential for harm.<ref name=CFP09>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In 2009, Canada restricted the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medication in children six years and under due to concerns regarding risks and unproven benefits.<ref name=CFP09/> The misuse of dextromethorphan (an over-the-counter cough medicine) has led to its ban in a number of countries.<ref>Eccles p. 246</ref> Intranasal corticosteroids have not been found to be useful.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In adults, short term use of nasal decongestants may have a small benefit.<ref name="Deckx2016" /> Antihistamines may improve symptoms in the first day or two; however, there is no longer-term benefit and they have adverse effects such as drowsiness.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Other decongestants such as pseudoephedrine appear effective in adults.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Deckx2016>Template:Cite journal</ref> Combined oral analgesics, antihistaminics, and decongestants are generally effective for older children and adults.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Ipratropium nasal spray may reduce the symptoms of a runny nose but has little effect on stuffiness.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Ipratropium may also help with coughs in adults.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The safety and effectiveness of nasal decongestant use in children is unclear.<ref name=Deckx2016 />
Due to lack of studies, it is not known whether increased fluid intake improves symptoms or shortens respiratory illness.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> As of 2017, heated and humidified air, such as via RhinoTherm, is of unclear benefit.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> One study has found chest vapor rub to provide some relief of nocturnal cough, congestion, and sleep difficulty.<ref name="pmid21059712">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Some experts advise against physical exercise if there are symptoms such as fever, widespread muscle aches or fatigue.<ref name=mayo>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=acsm>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is regarded as safe to perform moderate exercise if the symptoms are confined to the head, including runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, or a minor sore throat.<ref name=mayo/><ref name=acsm/> There is a popular belief that having a hot drink can help with cold symptoms, but evidence to support this is very limited.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Antibiotics and antiviralsEdit
Antibiotics have no effect against viral infections, including the common cold.<ref name=CochraneAR2013>Template:Cite journal</ref> Due to their side effects, antibiotics cause overall harm but nevertheless are still frequently prescribed.<ref name=CochraneAR2013/><ref>Eccles p. 238</ref> Some of the reasons that antibiotics are so commonly prescribed include people's expectations for them, physicians' desire to help, and the difficulty in excluding complications that may be amenable to antibiotics.<ref>Eccles p. 234</ref> There are no effective antiviral drugs for the common cold even though some preliminary research has shown benefits.<ref name=AFP07/><ref name="EcclesPg_b">Eccles p. 218</ref>
ZincEdit
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Zinc supplements may shorten the duration of colds by up to 33% and reduce the severity of symptoms if supplementation begins within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.<ref name=NIH2016Zinc/><ref name=Cochrane2013/><ref name="Zinc CC 2018 SystRev">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Hemila_2017a>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Hemila_2016>Template:Cite journal</ref> Some zinc remedies directly applied to the inside of the nose have led to the loss of the sense of smell.<ref name=NIH2016Zinc/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A 2017 review did not recommend the use of zinc for the common cold for various reasons;<ref name=Mal2017/> whereas a 2017 and 2018 review both recommended the use of zinc, but also advocated further research on the topic.<ref name="Zinc CC 2018 SystRev" /><ref name="Hemila_2017a" />
Alternative medicineEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} While there are many alternative medicines and Chinese herbal medicines supposed to treat the common cold, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support their use.<ref name=AFP07/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> As of 2015, there is weak evidence to support nasal irrigation with saline.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> There is no firm evidence that Echinacea products or garlic provide any meaningful benefit in treating or preventing colds.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Vitamins C and DEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Vitamin C supplementation does not affect the incidence of the common cold, but may reduce its duration if taken on a regular basis.<ref name=Hem2013>Template:Cite journal</ref> There is no conclusive evidence that vitamin D supplementation is efficacious in the prevention or treatment of respiratory tract infections.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
PrognosisEdit
The common cold is generally mild and self-limiting with most symptoms generally improving in a week.<ref name=CE11/> In children, half of cases resolve in 10 days and 90% in 15 days.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Severe complications, if they occur, are usually in the very old, the very young, or those who are immunosuppressed.<ref name=E1/> Secondary bacterial infections may occur resulting in sinusitis, pharyngitis, or an ear infection.<ref>Eccles p. 76</ref> It is estimated that sinusitis occurs in 8% and ear infection in 30% of cases.<ref name="EcclesPg_a">Eccles p. 90</ref>
EpidemiologyEdit
The common cold is the most common human disease<ref name=E1/> and affects people all over the globe.<ref name=Text2007/> Adults typically have two to three infections annually,<ref name=CE11/> and children may have six to ten colds a year (and up to twelve colds a year for school children).<ref name="AFP07"/> Rates of symptomatic infections increase in the elderly due to declining immunity.<ref name="E78">Eccles p. 78</ref>
WeatherEdit
A common misconception is that one can "catch a cold" merely through prolonged exposure to cold weather.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although it is now known that colds are viral infections, the prevalence of many such viruses are indeed seasonal, occurring more frequently during cold weather.<ref>Eccles p. 79</ref> The reason for the seasonality has not been conclusively determined.<ref name=nhs>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Possible explanations may include cold temperature-induced changes in the respiratory system,<ref name="EcclesPg" /> decreased immune response,<ref name="Mourtzoukou"/> and low humidity causing an increase in viral transmission rates, perhaps due to dry air allowing small viral droplets to disperse farther and stay in the air longer.<ref>Eccles p. 157</ref>
The apparent seasonality may also be due to social factors, such as people spending more time indoors near infected people,<ref name="EcclesPg">Eccles p. 80</ref> and especially children at school.<ref name=Text2007/><ref name=nhs/> Although normal exposure to cold does not increase one's risk of infection, severe exposure leading to significant reduction of body temperature (hypothermia) may put one at a greater risk for the common cold: although controversial, the majority of evidence suggests that it may increase susceptibility to infection.<ref name="Mourtzoukou">Template:Cite journal</ref>
HistoryEdit
While the cause of the common cold was identified in the 1950s, the disease appears to have been with humanity since its early history.<ref name="Eccles p. 3"/> Its symptoms and treatment are described in the Egyptian Ebers papyrus, the oldest existing medical text, written before the 16th century BCE.<ref>Eccles p. 6</ref> The name "cold" came into use in the 16th century, due to the similarity between its symptoms and those of exposure to cold weather.<ref>Template:Cite dictionary</ref>
In the United Kingdom, the Common Cold Unit (CCU) was set up by the Medical Research Council in 1946 and it was where the rhinovirus was discovered in 1956.<ref>Eccles p. 20</ref> In the 1970s, the CCU demonstrated that treatment with interferon during the incubation phase of rhinovirus infection protects somewhat against the disease,<ref name="pmid2438740">Template:Cite journal</ref> but no practical treatment could be developed. The unit was closed in 1989, two years after it completed research of zinc gluconate lozenges in the prevention and treatment of rhinovirus colds, the only successful treatment in the history of the unit.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Research directionsEdit
Antivirals have been tested for effectiveness in the common cold; as of 2009, none had been both found effective and licensed for use.<ref name="EcclesPg_b" /> There are trials of the anti-viral drug pleconaril which shows promise against picornaviruses as well as trials of BTA-798.<ref name=E226>Eccles p. 226</ref> The oral form of pleconaril had safety issues and an aerosol form is being studied.<ref name=E226/> The genomes of all known human rhinovirus strains have been sequenced.<ref name="CTgov">Template:Cite news</ref>
Societal impactEdit
The economic impact of the common cold is not well understood in much of the world.<ref name="EcclesPg_a" /> In the United States, the common cold leads to 75–100 million physician visits annually at a conservative cost estimate of $7.7 billion per year. Americans spend $2.9 billion on over-the-counter drugs and another $400 million on prescription medicines for symptom relief.<ref name=Frend03>Template:Cite journal</ref> More than one-third of people who saw a doctor received an antibiotic prescription, which has implications for antibiotic resistance.<ref name=Frend03/> An estimated 22–189 million school days are missed annually due to a cold. As a result, parents missed 126 million workdays to stay home to care for their children. When added to the 150 million workdays missed by employees who have a cold, the total economic impact of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion per year.<ref name="NIAID2006"/><ref name=Frend03/> This accounts for 40% of time lost from work in the United States.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
ReferencesEdit
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Bibliography
External linksEdit
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