Colds and the Flu - Introduction

Introduction

Upper respiratory tract infections affect the airways in the nose, ears, and throat.

The infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other microscopic organisms. In most cases, these infections lead to colds or mild influenza (flu) and are temporary and harmless. In rare cases, flu can be severe, or the infections may turn into pneumonia.

Organisms that cause these upper respiratory tract infections are generally spread by:

• Direct contact (such as hand-to-mouth)
• Coughing or sneezing

The Common Cold

The common cold (medically known as infectious nasopharyngitis) is the most common upper respiratory tract infection. More than 200 viruses can cause colds. The most common cause is the rhinovirus, which is responsible for about half of all colds. Symptoms usually develop 1 - 3 days after being exposed to the virus.

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A cold usually progresses in the following manner:

• It nearly always starts rapidly with throat irritation and stuffiness in the nose.
• Within hours, full-blown cold symptoms usually develop, which can include sneezing, mild sore throat, fever, minor headaches, muscle aches, and coughing.
• Fever is low-grade or absent. In small children, however, fever may be as high as 103° F for 1 or 2 days. It should go down after that and be normal by the 5th.
• Nasal discharge is usually clear and runny the first 1 - 3 days. It then thickens and becomes yellow to greenish.
• The sore throat is usually mild and lasts only about a day. A runny nose usually lasts 2 - 7 days, although coughing and nasal discharge can persist for more than 2 weeks.

Influenza (The "Flu")

Symptoms. Patients usually feel sick 1 - 4 days after exposure to the influenza (flu) virus. The flu usually involves:

• Abrupt onset of severe symptoms, which include headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and high fever (up to 104° F).
• Cough (which is usually dry but can be severe) and sometimes a runny nose and sore throat.
• Children may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and ear infections, as well as other flu symptoms.
• The symptoms usually resolve in 4 - 5 days, although some people can experience coughing and feelings of illness for more than 2 weeks. In some cases, flu can become more severe or make other conditions worse.