Cough and Cold, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

Cough and Cold, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

The common cold is a mild viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The cough and cold virus can be transmitted directly through contact with an infected person, or indirectly through touching objects that are contaminated with the virus.

Cough and cold, also known as the common cold, can be experienced by anyone. In adults, the average cold cough occurs 2-3 times a year. While in infants and children, coughs and colds generally occur more often.

The incubation period or the period of time since the virus that causes the cough and cold enters the body until it causes complaints is generally 2-3 days. Patients will also experience severe and very annoying cough and cold symptoms after the next 2-3 days, and will begin to recover after entering the 7th or 10th day.

Keep in mind that colds and flu are two different diseases, but it is often difficult to tell them apart because the symptoms are similar. The difference between the two is the type of virus that causes it and the symptoms that accompany it.

There are various microorganisms that can cause coughs and colds, including the Corona virus that causes COVID-19. Therefore, if you have a cold cough, you should consult a doctor to confirm the condition.

Causes of Cold Cough

In most cases, cough and cold is caused by infection with Human rhinovirus (HRV). In addition to HRV, this disease can also be caused by coronavirus, adenovirus, human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The virus enters the human body through the nose, mouth, or eyes, before causing symptoms. This happens when someone accidentally inhales the saliva of a cough sufferer that is sprayed into the air through sneezing or coughing.

In addition, the virus can also enter when someone touches the nose, mouth, or eyes, without first washing their hands after touching an object that has been contaminated with the cough and cold virus, such as doorknobs.

The following are a number of factors that can increase your risk of getting a cold and cough:

• Activities in public places
• Weak immune system
• History of chronic disease
• Young age (children)
• Smoking habit
• Cold air

Cold Cough Symptoms

A person who is sick with a common cold can experience the following symptoms:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Itchy throat or painful swallowing
• Sneeze
• Hoarseness
• Mild cough
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Earache
• Loss of appetite
• Watery eyes
• Body feels a little tired
• Soreness in joints and muscles
• Decreased sense of smell and taste
• Pressure on the face and ears

Although the symptoms of a common cold are very similar to the flu, there are some differences between the symptoms caused by the two, namely:

• Symptoms of fever and headache are more common in the flu than in coughs and colds
• Complaints of muscle pain and feeling unwell in the flu feel heavier than in a cold cough
• The flu often causes chest pain, while a cold cough rarely causes these symptoms or when it appears it is only mild
• Cough and cold often cause symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, and sore throat, while the flu is rare

When to go to the doctor

Check with a doctor if the symptoms of a cold cough do not improve after 10 days, get worse, are accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain, and a persistent cough accompanied by phlegm.

As for cases of cough and cold in children, immediate treatment by a doctor is highly recommended if:

• Fever occurs in newborns to 12 weeks of age
• Fever increases or lasts for more than 2 days
• Cough and cold symptoms are getting worse or have lasted more than 3 weeks
• The child feels pain in the throat (tonsillitis) or ears, wheezing, difficulty breathing, is very fussy or sleepy, and loses appetite

Cold Cough Diagnosis

Generally, doctors can diagnose a cough and cold only through a question and answer regarding symptoms and a physical examination. However, if the patient is suspected of having the flu or other conditions, the doctor will perform an examination in the form of:

• Swab test, to test for the flu virus by examining a sample of mucus in the patient's nose
• Chest X-ray, to rule out symptoms caused by other diseases, such as bronchitis or pneumonia

Cold Cough Treatment

Cough and cold is a viral infection that is classified as mild. Special treatment is not needed, because generally cough and cold will heal by itself in 7 to 10 days. However, cough symptoms may persist for several days afterward.

There are several ways you can do to relieve the symptoms of cough and cold, namely:

• Get enough rest
• Increase fluid intake by drinking lots of water
• Eat a balanced nutritious diet, which is rich in fiber and low in fat
• Use petroleum jelly to moisturize the skin around the nose and lips
• Gargle with warm salt water
• Using nasal spray (nasal rinse)
• Using a humidifier
• Take a sore throat lozenge
• Taking zinc and vitamin C supplements
• Take over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, such as decongestants to relieve nasal congestion, expectorants to relieve cough symptoms, and paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve fever and headache symptoms

Even though they are sold over-the-counter in pharmacies, it is important to read the instructions for use on the packaging. If necessary, ask your pharmacist or doctor, especially regarding the safety of the drug if used by infants, children, pregnant or lactating women, and people with certain diseases.

It is important to remember, avoid using antibiotics, because they will not be effective for coughing and colds. Also avoid giving aspirin to children who have a cough and cold, because it can trigger Reye's syndrome.

Complications of Cold Cough

Coughs and colds usually get better on their own. However, in people with compromised immune systems, coughs and colds can get worse and cause complications, if they don't subside after 10 days. These complications can include:

Middle ear infection (otitis media)

Cough and cold can cause fluid to build up in the space behind the eardrum, which can lead to a bacterial or viral infection. Otitis media is common in children. This disease is characterized by pain in the ear and a yellow or green discharge from the nose.

Asthma attack

Asthma attacks can occur in people with cough and cold who have a history of asthma, especially children. Symptoms of an asthma attack that can occur are shortness of breath and wheezing. If an asthma attack occurs, the patient is advised to use asthma medication and rest, or contact a doctor immediately.

Sinusitis

Symptoms of sinusitis that can appear are pain in the face, cough, fever, headache, dry throat, shortness of breath, and loss of the ability to taste and smell.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is caused by irritation of the lining of the windpipe (bronchus). Symptoms of bronchitis include shortness of breath, cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and weakness.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles, which are the airways that branch off from the bronchi. Symptoms include shortness of breath, blue skin, wheezing, and difficulty swallowing food and drink.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. Some of the symptoms of pneumonia that can appear are shortness of breath, cough with phlegm, high fever, and chest pain.

Cold Cough Prevention

Until now, there is no vaccine to prevent cough and cold (cold). However, there are several steps that can be taken to avoid the spread of the cough and cold virus, namely:

• Eat a complete and balanced nutritious diet
• Increase the intake of food sources of vitamin C
• Drink enough water
• Wearing a mask when in public or near sick people
• Wash hands with soap and running water, especially before eating or before handling food
• Clean hands with hand sanitizer if there is no water
• Exercise regularly to increase endurance
• Meet the needs of breast milk for babies
• Practice cough and sneeze etiquette
• Get enough sleep and rest
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
• Keeping the house clean

In addition to the efforts above, consuming probiotics containing good bacteria is also thought to be useful in preventing upper respiratory tract infections, including coughs and colds.

In addition, taking vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc can also help avoid the risk of developing a cold cough. However, these two things still require further research.

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