Common Cold
Introduction Because common cold has no specific cure and is self-limiting , it would be easy to dismiss the condition as unimportant. Nonetheless, colds, along with coughs , represent the largest caseload for primary healthcare workers. Clinical Features Following an incubation period of between 1 and 3 days (although this can be as short as 10-12 hours), the patient develops a sore throat and sneezing, followed by profuse nasal discharge and congestion. Cough and upper airway cough syndromes (UACS) commonly follow. In addition, headache, mild to moderate fever (<38.9°C), and general malaise may be present. Most colds resolve in 1 week, but up to 25% of people will have symptoms lasting 14 days or more. NOTE: Acute otitis media is commonly seen in children following a common cold and results from the virus spreading to the middle ear via the Eustachian tube, where an accumulation of pus in the middle ear or inflammation of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) results. Questions to ...