Common cold
Common cold: Introduction
Almost everyone is familiar with the feeling you get
when you start a common cold,
such as a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, or tearing.
Colds are very common but are more common in children
and decline with age.
They are rarely dangerous to healthy adults or children,
but may occasionally be dangerous to infants, the elderly or other at-risk groups.
Correct diagnosis of a cold usually means distinguishing
between cold and the more serious flu, which is not always easy,
but is important because of newer antiviral medications for the flu.
There are also other conditions that start like a cold
(e.g. rare but serious whooping cough)
and numerous conditions that have cold-like symptoms
or flu-like symptoms.
Although there are numerous different subtypes of colds,
diagnosis of the specific subtype of cold is rarely performed
and not usually important for treatment.
Symptoms of Common cold
See full list of 20
symptoms of Common cold
Home Diagnostic Testing
Home medical testing related to Common cold:
Common cold: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Common cold:
Disease Topics Related To Common cold
Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Common cold:
Medical Textbooks Online about Common cold
Medical Books Excerpts
- COUGH
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms" (2004)
- [ read ]
- COUGH
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- FEVER
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Common cold
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Lassa fever
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Cough, barking
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Cough, productive
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Earache
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Sore Throat
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- COUGH
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- EARACHE
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- FEVER
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Wrongly Diagnosed with Common cold?
Common cold: Medical Mistakes
Misdiagnosis and Common cold
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis,
when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection,
such as a ...read more »
Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been
immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Common cold
Common cold: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research related physicians and medical specialists:
Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:
Causes of Common cold
See full list of 7
causes of Common cold
Read more about causes of Common cold.
More information about causes of Common cold:
Treatments for Common cold
See full list of 10
treatments for Common cold
Latest Treatments for Common cold
See full list of 19
latest treatments for Common cold
News Archives for Common cold
Medical news articles related to Common cold include:
Source: HealthDay News
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Common cold
Medical research articles related to Common cold include:
Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database
Videos for Common cold
When you have watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, how can you tell if it's a cold or an allergy? Find out the difference and the...
Adults may already know the new ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu. But you may need to teach these behaviors to kids. Listen to an...
Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children...
Our parents told us to cover our mouths when we cough. But that might not be the best strategy for flu prevention. Listen to an infection control...
See full list of 7 related videos
Patient Surveys for Common cold
Prognosis for Common cold
Prognosis for Common cold:
Recovery from colds usually takes about a week but this can vary depending on the age and overall health of the patient.
More about prognosis of Common cold
Reseach about Common cold
Visit our research pages for current research about Common cold treatments.
Clinical Trials for Common cold
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally
and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Common cold include:
See full list of 10
Clinical Trials for Common cold
Prevention of Common cold
Prevention information for Common cold has been compiled from various data sources
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Common cold.
- Avoid exposure to people with colds
- Handwashing
- Avoid touching eyes or nose with your hands
- Cleaning with disinfectant - on surfaces that may be contagious.
- more preventions...»
Read more about prevention of Common cold
Statistics for Common cold
Common cold: Broader Related Topics
Types of Common cold
Types of Common cold
- Rhinovirus-related colds - 30-35% of colds
- Coronavirus-related colds
- Adenovirus-related colds
- Coxsackievirus-related colds
- Echovirus-related colds
- more types...»
See full list of 9
Types of Common cold
Stories from Users Related to Common cold
Related forums and medical stories:
User Interactive Forums
Read about other experiences, ask a question about Common cold, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:
Article Excerpts about Common cold
Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose –
everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness
known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting one
to two weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and of school and job
absenteeism.
(Source: excerpt from The Common Cold, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Definitions of Common cold:
Catarrhal disorder of the upper respiratory tract, which may be viral or a mixed infection; marked by acute coryza, slight rise in temperature, chilly sensations, and general indisposition.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
A mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs); "will they never find a cure for the common cold?"
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Contents for Common cold:
- Common cold
- What is Common cold?
- Online Medical Textbooks for Common cold
- Prevalence and Incidence of Common cold
- Videos related to Common cold
- Prognosis of Common cold
- Types of Common cold
- Causes of Common cold
- Risk Factors for Common cold
- Symptoms of Common cold
- Diagnostic Tests for Common cold
- Diagnosis of Common cold
- Signs of Common cold
- Complications of Common cold
- Misdiagnosis of Common cold
- Undiagnosed Common cold
- Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Common cold
- Associated Conditions of Common cold
- Contagious: Common cold
- Treatments for Common cold
- Alternative Treatments for Common cold
- Doctors and Medical Specialists for Common cold
- Prevention of Common cold
- Cure Research for Common cold
- Statistics about Common cold
- Statistics by Country for Common cold
- Medical News Summaries About Common cold
- Books about Common cold
- Articles about Common cold
- Glossary for Common cold
- Clinical Trials for Common cold
- Images relating to Common cold
- External links relating to Common cold
- COUGH (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- EARACHE (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- SORE THROAT (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- FEVER, ACUTE (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- FEVER, CHRONIC (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- Fever (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Sore Throat (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough - Productive (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough - Nonproductive (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Rash with Fever (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Sore Throat (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Cyclic (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Recurrent (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Unknown Origin (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough – Acute (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough – Chronic (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever – Acute (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- COUGH (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- EARACHE (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- FEVER (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- SORE THROAT (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- Cough, barking (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough, productive (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Earache (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Fever (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough, nonproductive (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
- Cough (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Fever of Unknown Origin in the United States* (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Infection and Fever (Complications of HIV) (A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)
- Common cold (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Cold injuries (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Colorado tick fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Lassa fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Relapsing fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Whooping cough (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
- Cough, barking (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough, productive (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cold intolerance (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough, nonproductive (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Earache [Otalgia] (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Fever [Pyrexia] (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
- Cough (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Fever (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Rash Accompanied by Fever (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)
- Sore Throat (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Fever of Unknown Origin (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Acute Cough (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Chronic Cough (Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
- Common cold (Handbook of Diseases)
- Cold injuries (Handbook of Diseases)
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (Handbook of Diseases)
- Cough, barking (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Cough, productive (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Fever (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
- Cough, barking (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough, productive (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Earache (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Fever (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough, nonproductive (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
- Cough (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Earache (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Fever (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Sore Throat (The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)
- Cough, barking (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough, productive (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Cough, nonproductive (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Earache [Otalgia] (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- Fever [Pyrexia] (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
- COUGH (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- EARACHE (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- FEVER (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
- SORE THROAT (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
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