Symptoms of the Common Cold

These hardly need mentioning, as most people have experienced them.  The symptoms include a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and fever. Although these symptoms can be quite debilitating, the disease is regarded as relatively mild in most cases. Fevers are usually low or even absent and the disease normally resolves within seven to ten days. Some colds can have a persistent cough that continues even for weeks after the other symptoms have cleared.

Occasionally the common cold can progress to more serious illnesses like pneumonia or secondary bacterial infections of the respiratory tract or ear infections. The common cold can aggravate asthmatic conditions.    

Next: Causes of the common cold

Reference:

Wikipedia

Causes of the Common Cold

The common cold is an infection caused by a number of more than 200 virusses.

The rhinoviruses are the most common culprits implicated in the cold.

Other viruses include human coronavirus, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus, enteroviruses other than rhinoviruses, and metapneumovirus.

Often more than one virus is present.

The symptoms e.g. runny nose etc are not caused by the virus itself however but indeed by the body's own defense systems, much like a response to an irritation.

 Next: Differences between the Common Cold and the Flu (Influenza)

References:

Healthline

Wikipedia

Differences between the Common Cold and the Flu (Influenza)

Many of the symptoms of the cold and influenza are similar and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two at times, but influenza is often a more serious disease.

Influenza usually starts off with a significant fever and feelings of fatigue and malaise. Other flu symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache and coughing.

The flu is caused by any of a number of influenza viruses.

The disease normally clears in a couple of days but sometimes causes complications like viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such as asthma or heart failure.

Differences between the Common Cold, Nose Allergies and Sinusitis

Reference:

Wikipedia Influenza.

Differences between the Common Cold, Nose Allergies and Sinusitis

While the common cold is an infection from any of the many cold viruses, a nose (nasal) allergy (also referred to as allergic rhinitis, hay fever) is caused by substances entering the nose that you are allergic to.  Common substances causing nasal allergies are dust, animal dander, or pollen. Symptoms can also occur when you eat a food that you are allergic to.

Similar as in the case of the common cold the symptoms are not caused by the allergens, but by the body's defense response to the foreign invaders. Perhaps not surprising than that the symptoms overlap somewhat with those of the common cold, but also include watery eyes, headache, itchy nose, -mouth eyes or -other areas. Fever is normally absent except when secondary infections occur due to the allergy.

Treatments (antihistamines, decongestants) also overlap but in the case of a nasal allergy  extend further to a stronger attempt of suppressing the allergic response e.g. Nasal corticosteroid sprays.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus cavities in the face. These are normally filled with air but may become blocked with fluid and lead to sinusitis. The common cold, influenza or nasal allergies can be the cause of sinusitis, but there may be other causes like nasal polyps or a deviated septum. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can grow on the mucous in these cavities and cause a sinus infection. Sinusitis is usually accompanied by pain in the sinuses that often increases when the sufferer bends forward or lies down.

References:

Medlineplus
Webmd
Wikipedia

How is the Common Cold transmitted ?

You have to come in contact with one of the viruses.

There are essentially two ways in which the virus gets transmitted from person to person:

1. Through the air:  If a person with a cold sneezes or coughs,   the virus travels with the small mucous droplets ready to infect those who inhale it.

2. Direct contact: Touching an infected person or an object that the infected person has come into contact  with.

Although cold viruses can survive outside the body for about seven days, their ability to infect reduces after about 24 hours.

References:

Hopkinsmedicine

Jamaicahospital

Decongesting Nasal Sprays and Drops

One of the symptomatic treatments of the common cold with the least side effects consist of a short term treatment with a decongestant nasal spray or drops.

There are a number of decongestant nasal sprays/drops on the market. These contain amongst others Oxymetazoline, Xylometazoline, Phenylephrine. They open up the nasal passages by constricting bloodvessels and in the process eleviating stuffiness.  The label often recommends the spray to be used 8 hourly or 12 hourly but it is recommended to be used less frequently.

These substances do however not help against watery secretions of the nose. Ipratropium nasal spray may reduce the symptoms of a watery  nose but has little effect on stuffiness.

Some nasal sprays contain menthol. Menthol increases the perception of nasal patency due to it's cooling effect without actually improving airflow through the nose. This effect is however valuable to the patients overall feeling of well being. Menthol  also thins mucous which may aid in clearing a stuffy the nose.  

Nasal sprays or drops should only be used for about three days or so as they quickly become less effective and may cause a condition called rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound effect) , a drug induced congestion of  the nose. For patients working from home it may be recommended to only use the nasal spray at bedtime

Half strength (0.025%) oxymetazoline decongestant drops can be given to small children (age 2 to 6)   for short periods. These products do not seem to be readily available in all countries.

Damage to nasal membranes has been reported with prolonged use.

When using a nasal spray the following should be kept in mind:

Clear your nasal passageway by blowing your nose. Take the cap off the bottle and follow directions for shaking or priming the bottle if necessary. Before you spray the medication into your nose, block one nostril by pressing a finger against it lightly. Put your thumb at the bottom of the pump bottle. The hole at the top of the bottle should be underneath your open nostril. Squeeze the pump and breathe in gently. Then switch to the other nostril and repeat the process. In order to keep the medication in your nose, don't blow your nose right away, and try not to sneeze. It may help to tilt your head backwards afterwards to prevent the medication from running out. You may blow your nose gently after a few minutes.

For nose drops the following:

Blow your nose gently. Tilt the head back while standing or sitting up, or lie down on a bed and hang the head over the side. Place the drops into each nostril and keep the head tilted back for a few minutes to allow the medicine to spread throughout the nose. Rinse the dropper with hot water and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap right after use. To avoid spreading a cold or infection, do not use the container for more than one person and throw the container away after your cold is better.

People who have trouble using a nasal spray  can mostly use the  watery non-metered decongestant nasal sprays similarly to a nose drop providing the dosage entering the nose is about equal to the spray (few drops).

Although decongestant sprays and drops are usually well tolerated within normal dosages, the following should be kept in mind: The active ingredients of decongestant sprays are related to adrenaline (nor-epinephrine) and can have similar effects on the body. These nasal sprays may increase blood pressure, increase heart rate, cause nervousness and may interfere with diabetes and other medications e.g. mono-amine oxidase inhibitors. (This list is not exhaustive and there are more side effects and other precautions. )

References:

Mayoclinic


Wikipedia

Webmd

Menthol and nasal patency

Can the Common Cold affect your heart rate ?

Yes. In general infections can increase the heart rate depending somewhat on severity.

The heart accelerates the rate at which it beats so as to facilitate the circulation of oxygen and immune cells which are needed to initiate the healing process.

 md-health

The blocking of nasal passages will make you breath more rapidly to avoid oxygen starvation, the heart rate will also increase for a similar reason.

Medhelp Posts

Sinusitis can narrow or block small arteries that can cause an increase in heart rate as the heart tries to compensate.

Steadyhealth