Cold
The common cold – or acute infectious rhinitis is one of the commonest ailments in developed countries. Usually caused by a virus, it can affect all age groups, though it is most frequent in children living in community situations.
How do you catch a cold?
Colds are spread by saliva droplets or nasal secretions, or by indirect contamination (hands, objects) since the virus can survive for several hours in the air.
The viruses involved
In almost half of all cases, a cold is caused by a virus belonging to the Rhinovirus family. The incubation period is then ten to twelve hours.
What are the symptoms?
The classic cold symptoms begin with a tickling sensation in the nose, with bouts of sneezing, followed by alternating periods of nasal congestion, affecting one or both sides, and a runny nose.
The mucus is clear to begin with, but quickly turns greenish-yellow. This colour is due to the presence of granulocytes and does not necessarily indicate secondary bacterial infection.
The nasal congestion makes it difficult to breathe, with this being especially uncomfortable at night in bed.
Other symptoms, such as headaches, aching muscles, tiredness and fever, can also develop.
In most cases, treating the symptoms of a cold is enough to provide relief.