Since the beginning of recorded time mankind has suffered from the common cold, there are over 200 different mutations of the common cold virus so coming down with a cold at least once or twice a year is almost as certain as death and taxes. Yet, even though a cold is typically a fairly benign ailment, it is the leading cause of absenteeism from work and school, as well as the leading reason for visits to the doctor’s office or your local urgent care center. Children in general, from pre-school/daycare to high school are at greatest risk for coming down with the latest strain of cold or flu due to the sharing of materials, books, toys, drinking fountains, bathrooms and other common properties.
What is a Cold?
The medical terminology for the common cold (in alphabetic order) is acute coryza, nasopharyngitis, or rhinopharyngitis, in laymen’s terms it’s called a head cold; a viral infection of the upper respiratory system. Typically a head cold or upper respiratory infection is nothing to be concerned about, other than feeling miserable, but it can occasionally produce more serious infections such as; pink eye, bronchitis, and bacterial or viral pneumonia.How is the Common Cold Spread?
The common cold is a contagious virus that is spread from one person to another, either by nasal secretions sneezed into the air around you by someone who already has the virus, or by touching items that are contaminated with the virus, for example in adults; sharing an office phone with a co-worker who has a cold, or a computer keyboard perhaps, are just a few common examples of how one might contract a head cold. While coming in contact with cold germs is how the virus is spread there are some factors that may predispose you to catching a cold, such as; people suffering from any auto immune diseases, extreme fatigue, allergies and stress. Eating a healthy diet, getting proper sleep, reducing stress (where you can) and a proper amount of exercise are all good ways to keep your body strong and healthy and more able to fight off seasonal colds and flu.Symptoms of the Common Cold:
These symptoms may be mild to somewhat severe:- Watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Congestion
- Mild fever
- Body aches
- Fatigue
Do I need to see a Doctor?
Typically a common cold will resolve itself without medical intervention in about a week to ten days. Since there is no cure for a head cold the best one can do is to follow best practice home remedies such as; eating a healthy diet, drinking hydrating fluids, get plenty of rest and utilize, as directed, over the counter medications to help to relieve the bothersome, unpleasant symptoms. However, if your cold lingers more than two weeks, symptoms worsen, experience high fevers, have difficulty breathing, or have blood in your phlegm you should seek professional medical attention from your primary care physician or your local urgent care center.Stomach Flu and Flu
The stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is often confused with the cold mimicking influenza flu. The flu (influenza) is a viral infection that can only originate from the three known strains of influenza virus types A, B, and C. The most distinguishable red flag with the flu is its typically sudden onset of fatigue and fever that accompany its cold like symptoms. The stomach flu of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) is also called gastroenteritis and has many means of origin, such as; bacteria, viruses, lactose intolerance, contaminated water, parasites in contaminated or spoiled food or water, poor hygiene habits and improper hand washing.What are the symptoms of the Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)?
- Diarrhea typically watery accompanied by stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Headache
What are the symptoms of the Flu (Influenza)?
- Sudden Fatigue
- Congestion
- Fever
What are the treatments for the Stomach Flu?
Usually in otherwise healthy people there is no treatment for the common stomach flu other than the recommendation to rest, sip fluids or to suck on ice chips to keep your body hydrated. Typically stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) begins to present symptoms about 24 to 48 hours after you have been infected with the virus. Because it is a viral infection there is no flu shot or antibiotic to treat the stomach flu. In most cases the symptoms are acute for only a day or two and then resolve on their own. You should continue to drink fluids and when able to hold down fluids begin a bland diet such as jello, toast, rice, bananas until you are feeling better. However, there are strains of the stomach flu that may last as long as ten days, in such cases the risk of dehydration is heightened. If you have any of the dehydration symptoms below you should seek medical attention from your primary care physician or urgent care center.Symptoms of dehydration may include:
- Lack of skin elasticity
- Feeling weak/unstable on your feet
- Dizziness
- Lightheaded
- Increased thirst
- Deep set or sunken eyes
- Inability to produce tears
- Loss in urine output
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- E. Coli
- Campylobacter
