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Common cold
Common cold: Introduction
Almost everyone is familiar with the feeling you get when you start a common cold, such as a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, or tearing. Colds are very common but are more common in children and decline with age. They are rarely dangerous to healthy adults or children, but may occasionally be dangerous to infants, the elderly or other at-risk groups.
Correct diagnosis of a cold usually means distinguishing between cold and the more serious flu, which is not always easy, but is important because of newer antiviral medications for the flu. There are also other conditions that start like a cold (e.g. rare but serious whooping cough) and numerous conditions that have cold-like symptoms or flu-like symptoms. Although there are numerous different subtypes of colds, diagnosis of the specific subtype of cold is rarely performed and not usually important for treatment.
Symptoms of Common cold
See full list of 20 symptoms of Common cold
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Common cold:
- Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Common cold: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Common cold:
- Secondary bacterial infections
- Otitis media
- Sinus infections
- Earache
- Pneumonia
- Bronchopneumonia (type of Pneumonia)
- more complications...»
Medical Textbooks Online about Common cold
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Wrongly Diagnosed with Common cold?
- Misdiagnosis of Common cold
- Failure to diagnose Common cold
- Hidden causes of Common cold (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
- Undiagnosed: Common cold
Common cold: Medical Mistakes
Misdiagnosis and Common cold
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis, when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common...read more »
Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears off after about 15 years. Thus, any teen or adult with a...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Common cold
Common cold: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research related physicians and medical specialists:
- Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists:
- more specialists...»
Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:
- Rate Your Doctor Online
- Research Your Doctor Online
- Review Patient Surveys About Your Doctor
- Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Causes of Common cold
- Human metapneumovirus
- Coronavirus 229E, Human
- Rhinovirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Adenovirus
- more causes...»
See full list of 7 causes of Common cold
Read more about causes of Common cold.
More information about causes of Common cold:
Treatments for Common cold
- Rest
- Fluids
- Cold-and-flu medications
- Aspirin - but not for babies, children or teenagers because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
- Acetaminophen
- more treatments...»
See full list of 10 treatments for Common cold
Latest Treatments for Common cold
- Rest
- Fluids
- Humidified inspired air
- Saline nasal spray
- Topical decongestants
- more treatments...»
See full list of 19 latest treatments for Common cold
News Archives for Common cold
Medical news articles related to Common cold include:
- Some OTC Sleep, Cold Meds Could Harm Aging Brain
- Human Nose Too Cold for Bird Flu Virus
- Oh-So-Cold Temperatures Plague Older People
- Cold Weather May Raise Blood Pressure in Elderly
- FDA Wants More Time to Study Cold Meds for Kids
- more health news...»
Source: HealthDay News
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Common cold
Medical research articles related to Common cold include:
- Chinese medicinal herbs for the common cold
- Sleep habits and susceptibility to the common cold
- What is the evidence for over-the-counter preparations for the common cold?
- Management of Acute Bronchitis
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Children
- Common cold
- more research...»
Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database
Videos for Common cold
Cold and Allergy
When you have watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, how can you tell if it's a cold or an allergy? Find out the difference and the...
Cold and Flu Smarts for Kids
Adults may already know the new ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu. But you may need to teach these behaviors to kids. Listen to an...
Kids' Allergies
Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children...
Flu Prevention
Our parents told us to cover our mouths when we cough. But that might not be the best strategy for flu prevention. Listen to an infection control...
Patient Surveys for Common cold
- Patient Profile Survey
Take Survey View Results - Survey about the symptoms of your Common cold
Take Survey View Results
Prognosis for Common cold
Prognosis for Common cold: Recovery from colds usually takes about a week but this can vary depending on the age and overall health of the patient.
More about prognosis of Common cold
Reseach about Common cold
Visit our research pages for current research about Common cold treatments.
Clinical Trials for Common cold
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Common cold include:
- Echinacea Versus Placebo Effect in Common Cold - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Echinacea
- Evaluation of Echinacea for the Common Cold - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Echinacea
- Echinacea, Propolis and Vit c for Uri Prevention in Preschoolers - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - dietary supplement--echinacea, propolis, and vitamin c
- Kinetics of Etheric Oils, Smart Textiles Vs. Ointment - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - smart textiles containing menthol, camphor, cineol
- Efficacy of Homeopathic Nasal Formulation for Management of Experimental Rhinoviral Colds - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
- more trials...»
See full list of 10 Clinical Trials for Common cold
Prevention of Common cold
Prevention information for Common cold has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Common cold.
- Avoid exposure to people with colds
- Handwashing
- Avoid touching eyes or nose with your hands
- Cleaning with disinfectant - on surfaces that may be contagious.
- more preventions...»
Read more about prevention of Common cold
Statistics for Common cold
- Medical statistics for Common cold
- Prevalence and incidence statistics for Common cold
- Death and Mortality statistics for Common cold
- Society statistics for Common cold
Common cold: Broader Related Topics
Types of Common cold
- Rhinovirus-related colds - 30-35% of colds
- Coronavirus-related colds
- Adenovirus-related colds
- Coxsackievirus-related colds
- Echovirus-related colds
- more types...»
See full list of 9 Types of Common cold
Stories from Users Related to Common cold
- Cold case in the medical feild?
- Always cold.
- viral infection I can't get rid of after 4 months
- Cold????
- Can't drink anything cold!!!
- Coldness in body
- I'm Cold.
- cold sensetive = rash
- Freezing cold?
- Can't drink anything cold
- Chronic coldness & other symptoms
- coldness and fatigue
- Bacterial infections but never cold or flu
- viral infections in kid
- ALWAYS cold
- coughed and coughed no cold
- So Cold!
- Moved to China, weird cold like symtoms persisting over a month.
- ***ms? viral infection? other?***
- Cold sperm
Related forums and medical stories:
User Interactive Forums
Read about other experiences, ask a question about Common cold, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:
- I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
- Tell us your medical story.
- Share your misdiagnosis story.
- What is the best treatment for this?
- See all the forums.
Article Excerpts about Common cold
Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose – everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting one to two weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and of school and job absenteeism. (Source: excerpt from The Common Cold, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Definitions of Common cold:
Catarrhal disorder of the upper respiratory tract, which may be viral or a mixed infection; marked by acute coryza, slight rise in temperature, chilly sensations, and general indisposition. - (Source - Diseases Database)
A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs); "will they never find a cure for the common cold?" - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
- Common cold
- What is Common cold?
- Online Medical Textbooks for Common cold
- Prevalence and Incidence of Common cold
- Videos related to Common cold
- Prognosis of Common cold
- Types of Common cold
- Causes of Common cold
- Risk Factors for Common cold
- Symptoms of Common cold
- Diagnostic Tests for Common cold
- Diagnosis of Common cold
- Signs of Common cold
- Complications of Common cold
- Misdiagnosis of Common cold
- Undiagnosed Common cold
- Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Common cold
- Associated Conditions of Common cold
- Contagious: Common cold
- Treatments for Common cold
- Alternative Treatments for Common cold
- Doctors and Medical Specialists for Common cold
- Prevention of Common cold
- Cure Research for Common cold
- Statistics about Common cold
- Statistics by Country for Common cold
- Medical News Summaries About Common cold
- Books about Common cold
- Articles about Common cold
- Glossary for Common cold
- Clinical Trials for Common cold
- Images relating to Common cold
- External links relating to Common cold
- COUGH (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- EARACHE (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- SORE THROAT (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- FEVER, ACUTE (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- FEVER, CHRONIC (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- Fever (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Sore Throat (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough - Productive (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough - Nonproductive (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Rash with Fever (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Sore Throat (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Cyclic (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Recurrent (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Unknown Origin (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough – Acute (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough – Chronic (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Acute (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- COUGH (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- EARACHE (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- FEVER (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- SORE THROAT (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- Cough, barking (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough, productive (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Earache (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Fever (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough, nonproductive (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Fever of Unknown Origin in the United States* (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Infection and Fever (Complications of HIV) (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Common cold (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Cold injuries (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Colorado tick fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Lassa fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Relapsing fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Whooping cough (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Cough, barking (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough, productive (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cold intolerance (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough, nonproductive (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Earache [Otalgia] (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Fever [Pyrexia] (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Fever (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Rash Accompanied by Fever (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Sore Throat (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Fever of Unknown Origin (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Acute Cough (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Chronic Cough (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Common cold (Handbook of Diseases)
- Cold injuries (Handbook of Diseases)
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (Handbook of Diseases)
- Cough, barking (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Cough, productive (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Fever (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Cough, barking (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough, productive (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Earache (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Fever (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough, nonproductive (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Earache (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Fever (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Sore Throat (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Cough, barking (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough, productive (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough, nonproductive (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Earache [Otalgia] (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever [Pyrexia] (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- COUGH (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- EARACHE (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- FEVER (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- SORE THROAT (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
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