Common
Cold
What
is it?
The common cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by any
one of over 300 viruses.
How
do you catch it?
Cold viruses enter the body through contact with fluid from the
eyes, nose, or throat of an infected person. Confinement in a small
space with many people promotes cold transmission.
What
are the symptoms?
-
Generally feeling "blah" or weak
- Runny or stuffy nose or sneezing
- Headache
- Head congestion
- Fever
- Cough (may linger 1-2 weeks after first symptoms appear)
What
can you do?
Viruses do not respond to antibiotics. Colds must run their course;
there is nothing you can do to stop them. You can, however, take
measures to feel better:
- REST
to relieve weakness and muscular aches. Avoid becoming fatigued
and take 1-2 days off from classes/work if needed.
- DRINK FLUIDS to keep secretions thin and fevers down. Aim for
8-10 glasses per day. If you do not feel like eating, emphasize
high-calorie drinks (such as soda or juice).
- DON'T SMOKE. It irritates the mucus lining of the nose and throat
and can worsen symptoms.
- INCREASE HUMIDITY to reduce nasal stuffiness. If you do not have
a humidifier or vaporizer, try sitting in a steamy bathroom with
a hot running shower for 15 minutes.
- PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE to prevent spreading your cold. Cover your
nose and throat when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands, and dispose
of used tissues. Avoid sharing towels, drinks, or eating utensils.
- MEDICATIONS can be helpful in relieving discomfort of cold symptoms.
The following is a brief description of some of the non-prescription
cold medications available:
Acetaminophen
(650 mg) every 4-6 hours reduces muscular aches, headaches, and
fevers.
Decongestants (oral) relieve stuffiness by promoting nasal drainage.
Nasal sprays provide fast relief from stuffiness but should be
used no more than 3 days to avoid the "rebound effect"
of increased congestion.
Cough syrups can be used to relieve cough discomfort. Expectorants
help you loosen and cough up secretions (water is also an excellent
expectorant). Suppressants help quell coughing but should be reserved
for dry, hacking coughs that prevent sleep. Remember: coughing
is a normal, protective reflex that should not be suppressed if
it effectively brings up secretions.
Cough drops provide moisture and ease coughing. Many contain suppressants
(check labels).
Throat lozenges provide temporary relief from sore throats. Look
for ingredients that contain phenol or end in "caine".
NOTE: At present, there is no conclusive evidence that large doses
of vitamin C can prevent or cure the common cold.
Consult
health care personnel:
-
If secretions turn yellow.
- If fever is above 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) for more than
three days.
- If general symptoms last longer than 1-2 weeks or worsen.
- If you develop trouble breathing (wheezing, shortness of breath)
or have a respiratory condition such as asthma.
- Anytime you are unsure of what to do.
Cold
medicines
The
following list indicates the major types of non-prescription medications
available for relieving the symptoms of the Common Cold. Discount
stores often carry their own products which are cheaper in price
and contain the same active ingredients as brand name products.
In the lists below, please note that Student Health does not endorse
any one brand over others.
| Analgesics
(Reduce aches and fevers) |
Brands |
Side
Effects/ Cautions |
| Aspirin
|
Bayer,
St. Joseph |
Side
effects include upset stomach in some people. Take with full
glass of water or milk. Do not take on an empty stomach. |
| Ibuprofen |
Advil,
Medipren |
Avoid
if you have ulcers. |
| Buffered
Aspirin |
Bufferin,
Ascriptin |
Usually
no side effects. |
| Acetaminophen |
Tylenol,
Datril |
Usually
no side effects. |
| Naproxen
Sodium |
Aleve |
Usually
no side effects. |
|
| Cough
Suppressants (Suppress cough reflex) |
Brands |
Side
Effects/Cautions |
| Dextromethorphan |
Robitussin
DM, Hold Lozenges, Robitussin Cough, Calmers |
Usually
no side effects. |
|
Cough
Expectorants
(Loosen secretions) |
Brands |
Side
Effects/Cautions |
| Guaifenesin |
Robitussin
DM |
Usually
no side effects. |
|
| Oral
Decongestants (Relieve nasal stuffiness by promoting nasal
drainage and reducing swollen nasal passages. NOTE: You should
not use decongestants or atropine-containing preparations if
you have asthma, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes,
heart disease or glaucoma.) |
Pseudephedrine
(Sudafed) |
May
cause sleeplessness in some people. |
|
| Nasal
Sprays (Fast relief of nasal stuffiness by promoting nasal
drainage and reducing swollen nasal passages.) |
Various
Active Agents (Afrin Spray, 4-Way Nasal Spray, Neo-Synephrine) |
Usually
none; however, these products should be used no more than four
days to avoid "rebound effect" of increased nasal
congestion. |
|
| Antihistamines
(Dry nasal secretions; relieve allergy symptoms of sneezing,
runny nose, and watery itchy eyes.) |
Chlorpheniramine
maleate (Chlor-Trimeton) |
May
cause dry mouth and/or drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol, driving
or operating power tools. Best to take at bedtime. |
|
Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl) |
May
cause dry mouth and/or drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol, driving
or operating power tools. Best to take at bedtime. |
|
Brampheniramine
(Dimetapp) |
May
cause dry mouth and/or drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol, driving
or operating power tools. Best to take at bedtime. |
|
Clemastine
fumarate (Tavist) |
May
cause dry mouth and/or drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol, driving
or operating power tools. Best to take at bedtime. |
|
| Combination
Products (Contain
combinations of two or three of the drugs listed above for relief
of cold symptoms. Read labels carefully before taking.) |
Various
Active Agents (Sudafed Sinus, Actifed, Comtrex, Contac, Tavist
D, Dayquil, etc.) |
Side
effects include combinations of those listed above. |
Back
to Common Ailments page
Maintained
by: studenthealth@virginia.edu
Last Modified:
Monday, 07-Nov-2005 10:29:16 EST
© 2002 by the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia
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