The common cold is a viral infectious disease that infects the upper respiratory system. It is also known as acute viral rhinopharyngitis, or acute coryza. Being the most

common infectious disease in humans, the cold is mainly caused by corona viruses or rhinoviruses.

Depending on the extent at which your patient is affected by these

viruses, you will know which steps to take from then on. It also differs from one person to the other, different types of people might experience different symptoms and the intensity of these

might be different as well. For instance, if someone has asthma, a cold might aggravate the patient’ s condition. This is an example of an underlying condition that doctors should be aware of.

Symptoms of a common cold:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Congestion

• Slight body aches or a mild headache

• Sneezing

• Low-grade fever

• Generally feeling unwell( malaise).

The fact that common colds don’ t have a vaccine of any kind makes it challenging for doctors and patients alike.

Although there is no real way of curing a common cold, these are ways you can advise your patients to ease their symptoms.

• Drink plenty of fluids and keep well hydrated, being dehydrated when infected with a cold can make you feel worse.

• Get plenty of bed rest; it is important to get as much sleep / rest as possible when infected as the body ' s immune system is fighting off the virus.

• Take aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve headache or fever. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16.

• Some people find that inhaling steam helps ease the symptoms of nasal congestion.

In your daily practice you will deal with different types of personalities, including curious patients. He / she will want to know the difference between a cold and flu.

These two conditions have very similar symptoms. The main difference is that flu is more severe and can last much longer than a cold would. Another difference being that, generally, the onset of flu symptoms is more rapid than those of a cold.

Upon diagnosis, analysing your patient’ s symptoms and reaching a conclusion that he / she has a cold you can then aim to calm your patient by telling them that they will not have severe effects on their body and might end sooner than expected, if treated well.

References available on request.

56 MAY 2017 | MEDICAL CHRONICLE