Colds

What causes them?

There are over 200 different viruses that cause colds and this is one reason why they are so numerous.
Top of the list are rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, but the adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause colds, too. Just as the body develops immunity to one type of virus, one that have never met before comes and makes you sick.

How are colds spread?

It is possible that said "coughs and sneezes spread diseases, but colds are not usually transmitted by airborne droplets or particles.
The more important is that spread by direct contact with an infected person. In general, the person with the cold touch of the nose or cough into their hands, leaving thousands of microscopic particles of virus in the skin.
When then tap an object like a door, cart or another man, leaving behind the virus. The next person to touch the object has the virus with them.
Everything you need to start a dozen cold virus particles. If a person has collected the cold virus touches their nose or eyes, tipping warm, moist environment in which it can thrive. Virus particles are swept back of the throat and the adenoids, if they stick to their cells to attack and play. Eventually, the cells to burst, releasing thousands of new virus particles to spread to other cells.
This process is very fast - it takes only eight of the 12 hours the arrival of the virus in the body to release the new virus particles.
Symptoms also develop quickly - within about ten hours (this is called the incubation period). That is less than half a day, shaking hands with a cold, you could have all the unpleasant symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are often caused by the body's reaction to cold viruses, which causes the release of chemicals that make blood vessels, and send the mucous glands work overtime. As a result, the secretions of the nasal passages become swollen and blocked. Influence to reach a peak after 36-72 hours and includes:

• Cleaning, scratchy sore throat (usually the first sign of the cold)
• runny nose and sneezing
• blocked nose Snuffly voice hoarse cough
• Lightweight *
• headache
• fever or malaise head Muzzy

The symptoms should begin to develop after three days went in about seven days (but may take up to two weeks).
Ben cold one in four did not develop any symptoms, perhaps because it doesn t their immune systems' response to the virus in the normal way.
It is easily confused with a cold, but influenza is usually more severe and produce more fever (above 38 ° C) and more general symptoms throughout the body, such as muscle aches, fatigue, chills, nausea and vomiting.

What's the treatment?

Despite decades of research, there is no simple remedy for colds. The antibiotics used against bacterial infections have no effect on viruses and antiviral drugs used for other viral infections are not useful against viruses that cause colds.
Most colds resolve quickly on their own, but there are things you can do to the least unpleasant symptoms.

* Keep hydrated - Dehydration can make a cold feel worse, so drink at least eight glasses of water per day
* Use a humidifier to stop the central heating to dry mucous membranes lining your nose and upper airways
* Treat nasal congestion steam inhalation, using vapor rub or take drugs decongestants
* Take simple analgesia such as paracetamol or ibuprofen regularly to stay on top of mixed pain and fever cough
* can help to suppress a dry cough, tickly, but some, known as "expectorant" to help you cough up the excess mucus
* Try anesthetic throat lozenges or gargle with salt water for a sore throat * Rest and eat regularly to keep the energy levels of signaling

The benefits of vitamin C supplements for the prevention and treatment of colds remains controversial.
A recent review of more than 30 studies have shown that during periods of high stress people can half your risk of catching a cold by taking vitamin C. But there is only a very slight effect on the duration and severity of symptoms once someone is infected.
Some argue that increasing dose vitamin C should be taken.
Many other treatments have been tested. Some, such as zinc and herbal therapy, Echinacea may be useful, but there is insufficient evidence to recommend these treatments.

What are the complications?

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. Serious secondary infections like pneumonia, may occur especially if you have the flu, rather than a cold. Approximately one in 20 colds are complicated by bacterial infection of the sinuses to be treated with antibiotics.
In children, colds often lead to bacterial infections of the middle ear, but it is much less common in adults. Colds can also aggravate asthma and chronic bronchitis.