By Sonja Koukel, PhD Extension Community & Environmental Specialist
When a cold hits, the most common symptoms experienced are a
sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches and body
aches. Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults
miss work. Each year in the U.S.,
millions of people get the common cold. Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per
year, and children have even more.
Quiz: How much do you know about the common cold? Respond to
these True/False questions.
The correct answers are provided following the quiz.
1. Antibiotics will help you recover from a cold.
2. Rhinoviruses are the most common causes of colds.
3. Colds are never serious for anyone.
4. Colds are most common in the winter and spring.
5. You can get a cold from someone by shaking their hand.
Answers:
1.
F - Antibiotics do not work against viruses, and
they may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if
you take them unnecessarily. To feel better when you have a cold, you should
get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.
2.
T – Many different viruses can cause the common
cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger
asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses
that can cause colds include:
·
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a virus that
infects the lungs and breathing passages. RSV is the most common cause of
bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the U.S.
and a significant cause of respiratory illness in older adults.
·
human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) – a group of
viruses that cause different types of respiratory infections and are most
common in children and babies. Most HPIVs usually cause infections of the upper
airway, such as a common cold, ear infections, or sore throat.
·
human metapneumovirus (hMPVO) – a common virus
that has been responsible for respiratory illnesses for at least 50 years
worldwide.
3.
F – See a doctor if you or your child has any of
the following symptoms: temperature higher than 100.4 F, symptoms that last
more than 10 days, symptoms that are severe or unusual. If your child is
younger than three months of age and has a fever, it’s important to call your
doctor right away. Most people recover from colds within about 7-10 days.
However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or conditions that affect
the lungs and breathing passages may develop serious illness, such as
pneumonia.
4.
T- Most people get colds in the winter and
spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year.
5.
T – Viruses that cause colds can spread from
infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. This can happen when you shake hands with
someone who has a cold after they have sneezed or coughed into their hands, or
touch a doorknob that has viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Protect yourself and others. Wash your hands often with soap
and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer. Viruses that cause colds can survive on your hands, and regular handwashing
can help protect you from getting sick.
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