​C​ommon Cold​

A runny nose, sneezing and throat irritation are the hallmark signs that you are suffering from a cold. Although the common cold is easy to identify, it is very difficult to maintain your everyday routine as the disease interferes with your normal functioning, making one keen to be cured of it sooner rather than later.

The common cold is a viral disease, caused by either one of the hundreds of strains of viruses. You can catch a cold from another person when you come in contact with a surface harbouring the common cold germs. For instance, touching an object held by a person sick with the common cold, such as a doorknob or a computer keyboard, and then touching your nose or mouth with the hand without washing it can transfer the virus from one person to another. 

If your body has already encountered that exact strain of virus before, it will successfully fight it off. However, strains of the common cold virus which are new to the body attach to the lining of the nose or throat, resulting in inflammation of the two and cause excessive mucus production. As the body works hard to fight off the virus, you end up feeling very tired and exhausted. 

It is a prevalent misconception that the common cold is caused by chilly weather or being wet. In fact, it is a disease that is contagious and passed from one person to another. Dry, cold weather makes the lining of the nose and throat drier, making them more prone to get infected by a virus. 

However, certain factors do make a person more likely to catch the common cold, such as being tired, stressed, or being prone to allergies. Usually preschool children are more likely to develop the common cold as their bodies have not developed the immunity against the various strains of viruses yet. In addition, they are more prone to touch germ-infested surfaces because of greater likelihood of exploring objects around them.​

When to seek expert advise

Usually the common cold gets cured on its own within a week or two. However, if the cold persists beyond three weeks, you must seek advice from a  doctor working with the Family Health Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Other reasons that necessitate a visit to your doctor include:​

• Worsening of symptoms over the weeks or no improvement or signs of recovery after two weeks.

• Difficulty in breathing.

• Pain in the chest.

• Coughing up of bloody mucus.

• Very high fever.

• Fever with chills, sweating and coughed-up, coloured phlegm.

• Pain in the sinuses.

​These symptoms indicate that you are not recovering from the common cold, making it advisable to consult a doctor at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat or the Heart, Lungs and Vascular Service Line of The Aga Khan University Hospital to discuss them.

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