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Common cold

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

This factsheet is for people who have a cold, or who would like information about it.

The runny nose, sore throat or "bunged up" feeling had during a cold is caused by one of many viruses that can infect the nose, throat, sinuses and airways.

How a cold develops

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About colds

Colds are caused by many different sorts of virus. The rhinovirus and the corona virus are the most common. On average, adults catch two to four colds each year. School-age children can have up to 12 colds a year. In the UK, colds are much more frequent between late autumn and early spring.

Symptoms of a cold

The cold virus grows in the soft, warm surfaces of your nose, throat, sinuses and airways, so this is where you usually get the symptoms. Typically, you will:

  • have a blocked or runny nose
  • sneeze
  • have a sore throat
  • have a cough
  • have a headache
  • feel generally tired

These symptoms usually last for about a week. You might also have a slight fever and aching muscles. Your usual temperature should be 37°C.

Causes of a cold

Colds are generally caught by touching infected surfaces, such as door handles or when shaking hands, and then the virus is passed from your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes. Cold viruses are also spread from person to person as droplets in the air. Sneezing or coughing produces more droplets and helps to spread the infection.

Complications of a cold

Colds can lead to sinusitis. Infections that affect your breathing, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, may also occur and are more common if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or if you smoke.

In children, middle ear infections are the most common complication of a cold. Very young children and babies may develop bronchiolitis, pneumonia or croup.

Diagnosis of a cold

Although colds can make you feel miserable, your body will usually fight off the infection on its own, without needing to visit your GP.

You should consult a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist for advice if you get any of the following symptoms with a cold:

  • severe vomiting or diarrhoea
  • earache
  • difficulty breathing
  • skin rash
  • uncontrollable cough
  • cough with yellowy green or rust-coloured sputum (phlegm)
  • extreme lethargy or drowsiness

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. He or she may also ask you about your medical history.

Treatment of a cold

There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections due to bacteria, don't work on cold viruses. However, there are things you can do to help yourself feel better.

Self-help

The following may help if you have a cold.

  • Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration - but don't drink excessive amounts.
  • Steam inhalations with menthol, eucalyptus or camomile may be helpful. Take care with the hot water.
  • Vapour rubs can be soothing.
  • Tissues with menthol or moisturisers may help clear noses or prevent sore skin around the nose.
  • Sucking sweets or lozenges with menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat.
  • Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat.
  • Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  • Rest.
  • Not inhaling tobacco smoke.

Medicines

For adults, use the painkiller that you would normally take for a headache to help relieve the fever and pain. Be aware of the dose you're taking of different types of medicines. It's easy to exceed the daily dose accidentally by using more than one product (eg tablets, capsules, a hot lemon drink) containing the same active ingredient, such as paracetamol. Children can take liquid painkillers; your pharmacist will be able to discuss which products are available.

Ask your pharmacist for advice on products that contain a decongestant, which can help to clear your blocked nose by reducing swelling. Nasal saline drops or nasal decongestants, such as ephedrine sprays or drops, may help with a bunged up nose. Nasal decongestants aren't generally advised for children under 12.

Cough medicines may also be helpful. Glycerine, honey and lemon can be used in children under two.

There are lozenges, mouthwashes or sprays such as benzydamine hydrochloride (eg Difflam) which can be used to numb a sore throat. These medicines can be purchased from a pharmacist.

Antihistamines may help to reduce some symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing, but can make you feel more tired and cause headaches.

Antibiotics aren't prescribed for a cold but can treat other infections caused by bacteria, such as a chest infection or infections of the ear, nose or throat.

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Complementary medicines

Supplements of vitamin C, zinc and the herbal remedy echinacea are popular for preventing and treating colds. However, there is no good evidence that they are effective.

There is some evidence that taking vitamin C supplements may slightly reduce the length of time you have symptoms of a cold. Research also highlights that if you're under high physical stress, such as running a marathon, or experience extreme cold, for example if you're skiing, your risk of getting a cold may be reduced if you take vitamin C.

Zinc products, such as gel which you put in your nose or lozenges that you suck, may be helpful, but the evidence for their effectiveness is limited.

Echinacea may help to reduce the symptoms of a cold if you take it early enough before your symptoms get worse, but there is limited evidence of this. Echinacea isn't suitable for everyone. You can get this in different preparations, such as a powder or tablet. Always check the label and follow your GP's or pharmacist's advice.

You may wish to try Chinese herbal medicines, but there is no medical evidence to support their use.

Always check the label and follow your GP or pharmacist's advice.

Prevention of a cold

There are a few steps that you can take to help prevent catching colds.

  • Eat a balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables.
  • Take regular (preferably daily) exercise.
  • Don't smoke - or if you do, try to stop - because smokers are more likely to catch colds.

To help prevent spreading a cold:

  • try to stay away from other people
  • wash your hands regularly
  • throw away tissues as soon as you have used them, antiviral tissues may also be helpful

Further information

Related topics

Sources

  • Common cold. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 2 June 2008
  • Common cold. BMJ Clinical Evidence. www.clinicalevidence.com, accessed 2 June 2008
  • Guppy MPB, Mickan SM, Del Mar C. Advising patients to increase fluid intake for treating acute respiratory infections. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No: CD004419.pub2. www.cochrane.org
  • Iribarren C, Friedman GD, Klatsky AL, et al. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: association with personal characteristics and self reported health conditions. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001;55:721-728. http://jech.bmj.com
  • Joint Formulary Committee, British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008: 55
  • Taverner D, Latte GJ. Nasal decongestants for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art. No: CD001953.pub3. www.cochrane.org
  • Arroll B, Kenealy T. Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3. Art. No: CD000247.pub2. www.cochrane.org
  • Hemilä H, Chalker E, Treacy B, et al. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No: CD000980.pub3. www.cochrane.org
  • Linde K, Barrett B, Bauer R, et al. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 1. Art. No: CD000530.pub2. www.cochrane.org
  • Wu T, Zhang J, Yan Q, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art. No: CD004782.pub2. www.cochrane.org
  • Smoking and disease. Action on smoking and health (ASH). www.ash.org.uk, accessed 4 June 2008

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

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