Women's Health

The Common Cold

Written by Mark Abell

The common cold is a virus. Although most people probably know that already, the same questions seem to pop up from time to time when seeing patients - and I'm sure that it's about the same elsewhere in the country. The question goes something like this - "Can you give me an antibiotic for my cold?" Well, I tend to allow for some interpretation when answering this question. For the most part, and for most of us, the common cold brings us the same sort of symptoms, and, like "clockwork" we can pretty much determine how long the cold is going to linger around and how "bad we are going to feel". We've had it before. Well, it doesn't always work that way and since the "common cold" is caused by so many different viruses, it's often difficult (and sometimes impossible) to determine a lot of factors concerning the development of the cold and how long it might last.

No, there is no cure for the cold. And, no, antibiotics are not designed to "treat" the viruses that cause colds. But, there is some logic in seeing your physician about a cold, since it is very true that many people come down with a "super-imposed" bacterial infection because of a cold. It works something like this - (and, Mom's - you probably already know this if you have treated your children's colds) - a cold starts. You get a runny nose, sore throat, and a general feeling of feeling "down under". The feeling "down under" is usually caused by the fact that the body is busy making things to fight the virus - the virus "runs you down". The immune system, then, is compromised, and your body becomes a susceptible host to other things - like germs. The sinuses are the first to feel it, especially if you have a history of sinus infections. Once the cold "sets in", the sinus cavities (located above and below the eyes) get filled with fluid which is generally rich with protein. Germs love that. You are breathing in air filled with germs - most of which are normally "taken care of" by the body's immune system. This time it's different, though - your immune system is working over time. And, Wham! There is a sinus infection.

The same principle works with just about all of the upper respiratory system. While there are usually good defense systems in place to protect your lungs from germs, debris, and viruses, a cold can (to some degree) drag those defense systems down. Additionally, the body's defense system works best when it allows different forms of bacteria to "fight" for survival within one system (for example, the respiratory system). When one kind of bacteria "wins" over the others, a bacterial "infection" ensues. The cold viruses cause damage to many parts of the respiratory system and they sometimes allow one or more bacteria to "win over" other forms of bacteria. Again, Wham! A bronchial infection or a throat infection ensues.

Treating the common cold hinges on treating the symptoms of the virus. We have not yet been able to "kill a virus" while it lives inside the human cell without killing the cell itself. The reason for this is quite complex but can be explained in simple terms. Essentially, the virus, unlike bacteria, uses the cell as a host and then incorporates the cell parts for its own survival; hence, the "cell" becomes the living virus. Once the virus is "done with that cell", the cell dies, and the virus, which is then "encapsulated" moves on to another victim - another cell in the body - and the beat goes on. So, we cannot kill the virus. Viruses, by their very structure, are made of DNA strands, and if you remember your biology, the DNA is the building block of life itself. Once the virus goes into the cell, it can almost never be detected. So, we are stuck with it, and we treat the symptoms of the virus - and in this case, we are talking about the cough, sneezing, runny nose (called coryza - a long with itchy, runny eyes), and the general feeling of doom. The market is literally inundated with many different medicines (mostly over the counter) which are used to treat the cold, and for the most part, America is left in a state of confusion as to which medicine to take for which symptom. Well, here it is - you would need only a decongestant medicine and a cough medicine along with something for the aches and pains. The makers of Tylenol and Motrin both have flu and cold medicines on the market, but many of the off brands work just the same, so unless you are one who enjoys spending money on "name brand items", the medicines are all pretty much the same and work in the same ways. Save your money for a sunny day.

Preventing a cold takes only common sense. The viruses which cause the common cold are air borne; when a person who has a cold coughs on you, you will most likely get a cold within a day or so. The vapor which is expelled from one person is full of "viral particles" - and it doesn't take many of them to cause the cold. Viruses are extremely "clever" and they won the battle of "the survival of the fittest"; they are able to alter their structure very quickly to adapt to a new environment. making them virtually "unstoppable". There are some "tricks to the trade", however, and they all comes from Grandma. And mothers - all of what your own mother told you when you were a child is true - cover your mouth when you cough; wash your hands before eating - this is especially true for children, who tend to put their hands in their mouths (and everywhere else); look away from people when sneezing, and cover your nose; wear warm clothes when it's cold. This is important for children as! well as adults. In the winter months, it is better to wear "layered" clothing, a sweater or two with long sleeve shirts than to wear a thick coat. Your body will retain more heat that way; it's important to cover the thorax (chest) as well as the neck and the extremities (especially when the chill factor drops).

For more information about the common cold and its treatment, check out the following web sites on the WWW. There's a whole lot more (search "common cold" using Infoseek):

The Common Cold

Prevention of cold injuries

Common Cold Fact Sheet (a real well done site)

KC Parent Magazine

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