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Common Cold(Viral Rhinitis; Upper Respiratory Tract Infection; URI)
by
Amy Scholten, MPH DefinitionThe common cold is an infection that can inflame the nose and throat.
CausesThe common cold is caused by a virus. There are over 200 different viruses that can cause a cold. Risk FactorsThe common cold is most common in infants and young children. However, people of all ages get colds. They are also more common during autumn. Other things that raise the risk are:
SymptomsSymptoms of the common cold may be:
DiagnosisThe diagnosis is most often based on symptoms. Tests are usually only given if another condition is suspected, such as pneumonia. TreatmentA cold often lasts 10 days or longer. There is no cure, but treatments can ease symptoms. Options may be:
PreventionThe risk of getting a cold may be reduced by:
RESOURCES:American Lung Association http://www.lung.org Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians https://www.familydoctor.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca References:Colds and flus. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscoho.... Accessed March 26, 2021. Mousa HA. Prevention and treatment of influenza, influenza-like illness, and common cold by herbal, complementary, and natural therapies. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):166-174.
Upper respiratory infection (URI) in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/upper-respiratory-infection-uri-in-adults-and-adolescents-18
. Accessed March 26, 2021.
Upper respiratory infection (URI) in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/upper-respiratory-infection-uri-in-children. Accessed March 26, 2021.
Last reviewed December 2020 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP Last Updated: 3/26/2021 | |