Dr. Matthew Bogard, Iowa doctor - Sniffle, Cough, Sniffle … Viral Upper Respiratory Infections are in the Air
An upper respiratory
infection (URI), also known as “the common cold,” is an inflammation of the
upper respiratory tract caused by any one of a number of viruses. The sinuses,
nasal passages and throat can all be affected. URIs are not caused by cold
temperatures, but are often more common in the winter months. The cold virus is
transmitted from person to person by direct contact (such as a handshake) or by
contaminating surfaces that others touch and then spread to their own nose,
mouth or eyes. A cold virus can also be spread when an affected individual
sneezes, coughs or exhales into the air.
It is common for adults
to have 2-3 URIs per year. Children may have 5-7 URIs per year. URIs typically
last 3-7 days but some symptoms may persist up to 2 weeks. Symptoms may include
runny or stuffy nose, sore or scratchy throat, headaches, ear fullness, cough,
postnasal drip, decreased appetite, fatigue, body aches and low grade fever
(less than 101.5 F).
There is no cure for
the common cold. Antibiotics do not work on the cold virus. Most will resolve
on their own with no treatment. However, there are some things you can do to
keep yourself comfortable at home:
· Get plenty of rest.
· Increase fluid intake. This
includes water, fruit juices high in Vitamin C, tea, gelatin or broths. Aim for
at least 8 glasses per day. These help to keep mucus thin and ease congestion.
· Use salt water gargles,
cough drops or throat sprays to relieve throat pain..
· Use petroleum jelly or
lip balm around your lips and nose to prevent chapping.
· Use a humidifier which
can make breathing easier by thinning mucus.
· Use saline irrigation
(i.e. Neti pot or McNeil Sinus Rinse) to clear mucus from your sinuses and back
of your throat.
· Pain reliever
medications such as acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (also
known as Advil or Motrin) can be used to reduce fever and relieve body aches,
headache and sore throat. You should talk to your healthcare provider before
using either of these medications if you have a history of kidney or liver
disease.
In rare cases, some
cold viruses can lead to bacterial overgrowth and infection, such as pneumonia,
sinusitis and ear infections. The following symptoms may suggest that you do
not have a common cold or that a complication has occurred. See your doctor if you experience:
·
Symptoms
that are unchanged or getting worse after 10 days
·
Shortness
of breath or wheezing
·
A
fever higher than 101.5 degrees
·
Eye
pain/swelling and/or vision changes
·
Severe
head or facial pain or swelling
·
An
exacerbation of asthma symptoms
·
If
you have cold symptoms but also have a serious chronic illness or are
immunosuppressed
Frequent hand washing
is the most important way to help to prevent the spread of cold viruses. Other
tips include coughing or sneezing into your elbow, wiping down common surfaces,
such as door knobs and faucet handles, with a disinfectant spray, and not
sharing cups or utensils.
*** Dr. Matthew Bogard, Iowa doctor, is an emergency medicine doctor primarily at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton, Iowa. Presently, he is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
