Le cold is a very common infection of the nose (or more precisely the nasal cavity) and throat, caused by virus. Also called viral or acute rhinitis, it causes a sore throat, sneezing, a feeling of stuffy nose(nasal congestion) and a runny nose. The duration of symptoms is often longer than what is commonly conveyed. The median duration was 11 days in a study of 346 adults with an uncomplicated common cold⁵⁹.

The common cold is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses, which are part of the picornavirus family, which have more than 100 different serotypes.

The body encounters and neutralizes cold viruses several times a year. When a cold appears, the immune system failed to prevent infection with the virus.

The common cold mainly affects young children since their immune systems are developing and they come into contact with the viruses that cause the disease more often.

Prevalence

Investigations⁶⁰ found that a normal child can have 6 to 10 cold episodes per year. Adults have two to four. With each cold, the body develops immunity against the particular virus that caused the episode in question. Over time, the body gains immunity to many of the viruses that cause colds.

From the arrival of autumn and until the end of spring, colds are more common. We then spend more time indoors, which contributes to contagion. Also, during the winter, the air is generally drier in the houses, which dries up the mucous membranes of the nose. These become less effective at fighting viruses and preventing the onset of a cold. In southern countries, colds are more frequent during the rainy season.

Contagion

Le cold is a contagious illness. To be able to cause a cold, cold viruses must first attach themselves to the mucous membranes of our nose, eyes or mouth. Unlike the skin, the mucous membranes do not form a very tight barrier against microbes. Viruses can reach the mucous membranes if you inhale small, contaminated droplets, such as when a person with a cold coughs or sneezes.

The common cold can also be spread by contact of the hands with an infected person or a contaminated object (glasses, utensils, toys, etc.), when the hands are then put in the mouth, nose or eyes. The virus can survive for up to 7 days on inanimate and dry surfaces. The incubation period is very short, varying from a dozen hours (rhinovirus) to a few days.

Possible complications

The common cold in itself does not cause complications. However, it weakens the mucous membranes, which can be secondarily “colonized” by bacteria. We then speak of bacterial superinfection. The signs of bacterial secondary infection in the sinuses are a thickened nasal discharge and symptoms prolongation over several weeks. Bacteria can also cause other conditions after a cold. Thus, in children, the most common complication is otitis media. A persistent cold can also promote the development of sinusitis, pharyngite, bronchitis and even, rarely, pneumonia. It can also reactivate theherpes simplex, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, weakening the body.

When to consult a doctor?

Generally, it is not necessary to see a doctor in case of a simple cold. In the majority of cases, symptoms go away on their own in about 1 week.

However, in the presence of any of the following symptoms, which are indicative of complication (ear infection, sinusitis, etc.) or a more serious health problem than the common cold, it is better to consult a doctor.

• Intense symptoms that affect the whole body. For example, a fever 39,5 ºC (103 F) or more, chills or sweating, headache;
• Nasal secretions that persist for more than 10 days, which sometimes become yellowish and thicker;
• benefits pain persistent in one ear, the onset of conjunctivitis or severe pain in the face or forehead (sinusitis);
• A cough that persists for more than 7 days after the disappearance of other symptoms;
• At thechild : persistent crying or very rapid breathing; blue lips;
• In children, a cough so severe that he is choking or vomiting;
• Wheezing;
• The occurrence of a cold in a baby less than 4 months, as there is a risk of respiratory failure.