Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Respiratory Disorders > Common Cold
Acute nasopharyngitis, often known as the common cold, is a mild viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system (nose and throat). Symptoms include sneezing, sniffling, nasal congestion; scratchy, sore, or phlegmy throat; coughing; headache; and tiredness. Colds typically last three to five days, with residual coughing lasting up to three weeks. As its name suggests, it is the most common of all human diseases, infecting subjects at an average rate of slightly over one infection per year per person. Infection rates greater than three infections per year per person are not uncommon in some populations. Children and their caretakers are at a higher risk, probably due to the high population density of schools and the fact that transmission to family members is highly efficient.
The common cold belongs to the upper respiratory tract infections. It is different from influenza, a more severe viral infection of the respiratory tract that shows the additional symptoms of rapidly rising fever, chills, and body and muscle aches. While the common cold itself is rarely life threatening, its complications, such as pneumonia, can very well be.
Pathology
The common cold is caused by numerous viruses (mainly rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and also certain echoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and coxsackieviruses) infecting the upper respiratory system. Several hundred cold-causing viruses have been described, and a virus can mutate to survive, ensuring that any cure is still a long way off. The nasopharynx is the central area infected. The reasons that the virus concentrates in the nasopharynx rather than the throat may be the low temperature and high concentration of cells with receptors needed by the virus. More on [ Common cold ]
New Tweet: Common cold may hold off swine... http://www.sameem.com/2009/11/17/common-cold-may-hold-off-swine/
canmind (Sameem Monzaviyan) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:25:44 -0000
New Tweet: Common cold may hold off swine... http://www.sameem.com/2009/11/17/common-cold-may-hold-off-swine/
I love my common cold.
taraeatsrainbow (Tara Iyer) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:37:07 -0000
I love my common cold.
http://twitpic.com/u4gk6 - Common cold plush
goblinpixie (goblinpixie) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:25:17 -0000
http://twitpic.com/u4gk6 - Common cold plush
dudeess im dying of a common cold...
_thegeorge (Georgia Christie) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:23:54 -0000
dudeess im dying of a common cold...
Cold or allergy: Which is it?: Learn how to tell the difference between common cold and allergy symptoms. Spons.. http://bit.ly/5fYJf7
w2wellness (Paul A. Mulready) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:21:09 -0000
Cold or allergy: Which is it?: Learn how to tell the difference between common cold and allergy symptoms. Spons.. http://bit.ly/5fYJf7
Hibernating tonight. Feeling a mite depressed. Not sure if it's hormonal or lack of exercise due to the common cold.
singlegirlie (singlegirlie) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:07:02 -0000
Hibernating tonight. Feeling a mite depressed. Not sure if it's hormonal or lack of exercise due to the common cold.
Common Cold - Information on causes, treatments and complications, alongside myths and recipes.
Meta Description: [ A comprehensive source of information on the common cold that facilitates informed decisions about cold prevention and treatment. ]
Cold and Flu Blog - A collection of information on the latest research into this condition.
Colds - Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of colds. From eMedicine Health.
Meta Description: [ The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is ... ]
Common Cold - A basic information that can be given to patients.
Meta Description: [ The common cold - what is it and how can it be treated ]
Common Cold - Common Cold informational website: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatment.
Common Cold Centre - Includes general information, plus an explanation of conventional and alternative medications.
Meta Description: [ Common Cold Centre - A centre of excellence devoted to the development of new treatments for coughs, colds and hay fever. ]
Cough and Cold Advice - Offers details on symptoms, a flu alert, and a game. [Supported by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and only mentions their products.]
Kidshealth: Common Cold - Features causes, prevention, treatment, and symptoms.
Meta Description: [ With kids getting up to eight colds a year, this contagious viral infection is the most common infectious disease in the United States and the top reason kids visit the doctor and miss school. ]
Killing Colds Webpage - Personal account of treating this illness.
Meta Description: [ How to prevent catching colds and treat them when you do. ]
MedicineNet: Common Cold - Doctor-written information that discusses how it is transmitted, symptoms, use of antibiotics and when to consult your doctor.
Meta Description: [ A collection of articles about cold and flu topics covering symptoms, vaccinations, medications, and treatment ]
MedlinePlus: Common Cold - Directory of facsheets, news stories, and articles.
Meta Description: [ Common Cold ]
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: The Common Cold - Fact sheet with general information, including causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment.
The Common Cold: Relief But No Cure - Overview of a study by the Food and Drug Administration Panel into the safety and effectiveness of medications used to treat this condition.
Meta Description: [ Internet and CD-ROM Publisher on Health and the Environment. ]
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