Let's know the exact symptoms of the common cold? (Common Cold)

It's hard to find someone who doesn't get a cold at least once a year, isn't it? It's very contagious. We can catch it from tiny droplets that get into the air when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes. Or if we touch someone who has it, touch something they've touched, and then touch our eyes, nose, or mouth, we're more likely to get the disease. Doctors call this an upper respiratory tract infection, or URI. Simply put, there are about 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold. That's why it's so difficult to make a vaccine for it. The most common of these is the rhinovirus. Except for newborns, the common cold is not usually a serious illness. It usually gets better in 4 to 10 days without special medication. But the problem is, when we get a cold, our immune system weakens, so other bacterial infections can easily develop.

There are three stages of a cold.

When we catch a cold, the symptoms don't come on all at once. We usually experience it in three stages. Let's see what those stages are.

1. Early stage (days 1-3)

The first symptoms appear within a day or three after the virus enters the body. At first, you may feel a slight itch or tickle in the throat. Or your throat may start to hurt. At this time, what is really happening is that our body's white blood cells rush to the throat area to fight the infection. Along with this, you may also feel the following:

• The voice becomes hoarse.
• I feel a little pain and ache in my body.
• Feeling a little tired.

2. Peak phase (days 4-7)

These are the days when the illness is starting to feel a little worse. Along with the symptoms mentioned earlier, new symptoms are also being added.

• Runny nose or stuffy nose .
• Nasal mucus can be white, green, or yellow (don't worry if the color changes, it's just a result of infection-fighting cells dying and being added to the mucus).
• Keep sneezing.
• The cough starts.
• Tears are coming from my eyes.
• It feels like mucus is running down my throat.

3. Final stage (8-10+ days)

By now, your condition should be improving. The runny nose should be much less, and the stuffy nose should be gone. Your sore throat should be almost completely gone by now. However, the cough may persist for a few more days, perhaps up to two weeks. The cough may increase, especially at night, as the mucus in your throat drains. If your symptoms do not improve after two weeks or get worse, be sure to see your doctor. It could be a sign of another infection.

Be very careful if your little one has a cold!

Unlike adults, a cold in young children often starts with a fever. The fever can be as high as 101-102 degrees F (38.3-38.9 Celsius). In addition, they may show these symptoms:

• Vaginal discharge (clear at first, then white, yellow, or green)
• Sneezing
• Appetite
• Increased salivation due to sore throat
• Cough
• Slight swelling of the glands in the neck (squamous cells)
• Frequent crying, irritability

It is normal for a healthy baby to get about six colds in the first year. This is not dangerous. However, if any of the following occur, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU).

Possible complications of the common cold

When we get a cold, our immune system weakens, which opens the door to other infections. If the cold becomes severe, complications such as:

• Sinus infection: Infection caused by mucus buildup in the sinuses of the face.
• Ear infection: Infections inside the ear.
• Bronchitis: An infection of the bronchial tubes.
• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.
• A persistent cough that lasts for weeks or months.

If you have a chronic condition like asthma, you are at higher risk of developing complications from a cold. If your symptoms worsen after 3-7 days, instead of getting better, it could be a bacterial infection.

When should I see a doctor?

Most of the time, you can treat a cold at home. However, in cases like this, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If your symptoms last more than two weeks .
• If you have difficulty swallowing with severe pain in your throat.
• If the fever is higher than 102°F (38.9°C).
• If you have difficulty breathing or wheezing.
• If you have severe pain in your face or forehead (sinus pain).
• If the glands in the neck or jaw area are swollen.
• If symptoms worsen after three days.
• If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother.

Show a doctor if a child has these symptoms:

• If the fever is higher than 103°F (39.4°C) or if the fever has been present for more than three days.
• If you have difficulty breathing.
• If the skin turns blue.
• If you have an earache.
• If you vomit.
• If it is difficult to wake up from sleep or if it is excessively bothersome.

Cold, common cold, symptoms, cold symptoms, fever, cough, runny nose, cold in children, child cold