Common cold

Question 1

What is the common cold also known as?

Answer 1

Coryza

Question 2

What is the common cold?

Answer 2

• acute, self-limiting, viral inflammation of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract

Question 3

What are the CO for CC?

Answer 3

• rhinovirus (50-80%)
• coronavirus
• influenza
• parainfluenza
• respiratory synyctial virus
• enteroviruses
• adenovirus

Question 5

What is the route of transmission for these viruses?

Answer 5

• airborne
• direct contact c infectious secretions
• home, in schools and in daycare centres

Question 6

What will the CC presentation be like?

Answer 6

• nasal discharge
• nasal obstruction
• sneezing
• sore throat
• malaise
• cough
• mild inc. temperature

Question 7

What are the differentials for CC?

Answer 7

• Allergic rhinitis - often accompanied by itchy eyes
• Non allergic rhinitis
• Pharyngitis
• Influenza
• Glandular fever
• Whooping cough
• Foreign body - in children

Question 8

How would you mx CC?

Answer 8

• advise - no drug proven benefit for prophylaxis
• adequate fluid intake
• adequate rest but that there is usually no need to take time off school and work

Question 9

What are the over-the-counter options for CC?

Answer 9

• Gargling with salt water
• Steam inhalation
• Vapour rubs
• Nasal drops (sodium chloride 0.9%) for nasal congestion
• Paracetamol

For under 6

• cough medicine containing honey, lemon, glycerine

Question 10

What are the cx of CC?

Answer 10

• Sinusitis
• Otitis media
• Croup in very young children and babies.
• Chest infections: bronchiolitis in the very young, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and exacerbations of COPD or asthma.

Question 11

Which patient groups are more likely to suffer from Cx of CC?

Answer 11

• Smokers.
• Immunosuppressed
• Young children born prematurely.
• Elderly people.
• Those with significant comorbidity, particularly asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, and cystic fibrosis, as well as those with any significant cardiac, renal, liver or neuromuscular disease.

Question 12

What is the prognosis of CC?

Answer 12

• mild, self-limiting illness
• 1 week in adults
• 10-14 days in children
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