Common cold is often known as acute viral nasopharyngitis. It is a mild viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system (nose and throat). Over 200 viruses can cause a cold.The common cold is more common in cold weather than in summer but there are still plenty of colds around in summer particularly when we go on holiday.

Unfortunately, if you're like most adults, you're likely to have a common cold two to four times a year. Children, especially preschoolers, may have a common cold as many as eight to 10 times annually.

Causes

More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the symptoms of the common cold. Some, such as the rhinoviruses, seldom produce serious illnesses. Others, such as parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus, produce mild infections in adults but can precipitate severe lower respiratory infections in young children.

Air that's dry can lower your child's resistance to infection by the viruses that cause colds. And so can being a smoker or being around someone who's smoking. People who smoke are more likely to catch a cold than people who don't smoke.People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold, and usually not contagious at all by day 7 to 10.

Nor is susceptibility apparently related to factors such as exercise, diet, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. On the other hand, research suggests that psychological stress, allergic disorders affecting the nasal passages or pharynx (throat), and menstrual cycles may have an impact on a person's susceptibility to colds.

Symptoms

The three most frequent symptoms of a cold are nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and runny nose. Throat irritation is often involved (but not with a red throat). Adults and older children with colds generally have minimal or no fever. Infants and toddlers often run a fever in the 100 to 102 degree range. Depending on which virus is the culprit, the virus might also produce:

Sore throat

Cough

Muscle aches

Headache

Postnasal drip

Decreased appetite

Treatment

Inhaling steam also has been proposed as a treatment of colds on the assumption that increasing the temperature inside the nose inhibits rhinovirus replication. Recent studies found that this approach had no effect on the symptoms or amount of viral shedding in individuals with rhinovirus colds. But steam may temporarily relieve symptoms of congestion associated with colds.

A very large number of medications are available for the treatment of cold symptoms. These include antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers. Antihistamines block the action of histamine. They relieve sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. Side effects include a dry mouth and drowsiness. For this reason, antihistamines should not be taken by people who must drive or operate heavy machinery.

Home remedies for common cold

The roots of the bitter gourd plant is very useful home remedy for cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.

Goldenseal is important herb that acts as a natural antibiotic, and can be taken to help your body in its battle against the cold.

Garlic soup is an old home remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily.

Ginger tea or a teaspoonful of ginger juice taken with equal quantity of honey brings relief from common cold.