The Common Cold: An Inside Look

Fever

Although fever is more common in bacterial infections rather than viral infections such as with colds, it can occur with other cold symptoms.

Children are much more prone to getting a high fever during a cold than adults. In either case, bringing the temperature down is one key to relief.

Try cool baths, drink plenty of fluids and get rest. Fluids also help to prevent dehydration. If the temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit in an adult or 103 degrees Fahrenheit in a child, contact your physician immediately.

Nose, runny

None of the reported cases of inhalation anthrax began with a runny nose. So you need not immediately suspect anthrax infection. However, if in doubt, consult your healthcare provider early as inhalation anthrax can become dangerously severe within hours.

Like the productive cough, the runny nose has its advantages in getting rid of the virus causing the cold. Therefore you may want to allow it to run its course and take steps to comfort yourself through it.

One such way is to take aspirin or acetaminophen and put a warm compress on you forehead. Children should be given non-aspirin containing fever reducer such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen so as to avoid a serious, but rare complication known as Reye's syndrome. Be aware that a constant or periodic runny nose that is seasonal in nature could be a sign of an allergy and you may want to consult your physician.

Nose, stuffy

A stuffy nose is no picnic. It usually affects your breathing and is generally uncomfortable to say the least. When stuffy noses that accompany colds occur, the blood vessels expand, the mucus membranes become congested (full of excess blood), and the nose becomes stuffy, or blocked.

Once the cold virus gets into the nose, histamine is released and that increases the blood flow to the nose. Then the nasal tissues begin to swell up and that stimulates the nasal membranes to produce excessive amounts of mucus.

You can treat a stuffy nose with decongestants, nose drops or sprays.

Sneezing

Sneezing is caused by the irritation of the soft lining of the nose or throat. When you sneeze you inhale air, then the the larynx closes so that air pressure in the lungs is increased, then suddenly the larynx reopens and sends a rush of air out through your nose and mouth.

Treating the sneeze can be counterproductive since it is the body's attempt to clear away offending irritants associated with your cold. The best way to prevent sneezing is to remove the irritants, so gentle nose blowing helps. For sneezing associated with allergies, antihistamines may do the trick, but they have no place in the treatment of colds.

Sneezing is an excellent way to spread your cold virus to others, so when you sneeze, cover your mouth with a facial tissue, then throw it away and thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water.

Sore Throat

A sore throat due to inflammation caused by the cold virus itself and is a common symptom of a cold. You can relieve the symptoms of a simple sore throat with over-the-counter throat lozenges or sprays with a local anesthetic, salt water gargles four times per day (one teaspoon salt in 8 oz. warm water), cough drops or hard candy.

You may also want to use a vaporizer to increase the moisture in your home since a dry throat can cause irritation and pain.

If signs of a sore throat persist for more than a few days or are severe with marked difficulty in swallowing, high fever or vomiting, then your doctor should be consulted.