Introduction:
Common colds and allergies have different causes. A common cold is an infection caused by a virus, and an allergy happens when a person comes in contact with an allergen trigger. The viruses that cause the common cold are contagious; anyone can pick them up when an infected person sneezes, coughs or shakes hands. An overactive immune system is the usual cause of allergies. For some reason, the body mistakes harmless things like pollen or dust for germs and attacks them. When this happens, the body will release some chemicals such as histamine same as it does while fighting the common cold. This may cause swelling in the passageways of the nose leading to sneezing and coughing. However, unlike the common cold, allergy is not contagious.
What Is Common Cold?
The common cold is a subtype of rhinitis (irritation or inflammation of nasal mucous membrane or nose) categorized as infectious rhinitis. As the name suggests, it is an infection, not an allergic reaction. The common cold affects the nose and upper respiratory tract (throat). It is often harmless, even though it might not feel that way. Healthy adults can expect two or three colds per year. However, infants and children may be affected by it more frequently.
What Are the Causes of Common Cold?
Hundreds of viruses are implicated in causing the common cold, but the most common is the rhinovirus. A cold virus will enter the body through the nose, mouth, or eyes. It generally spreads through the air droplets when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Another mode of transmission is by hand-to-hand contact with an infected person or by sharing contaminated objects like towels, eating utensils, toys, or telephones. If a person touches the eyes, nose, or mouth after such contact, he is more likely to catch a cold.
What Are the Risk Factors of Common Cold?
It is an airborne viral disease that can be caused in any situation, but a few activities which seldom lead to the common cold are:
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Daycare handling - taking care of a group of children.
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Improper sleep - irregular and deficit sleep can cause this disease.
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Psychological stress.
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Weakened immune system.
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Both adults and children are more prone to cold in fall and winter.
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Infants and children are more prone to developing the common cold.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Common Cold?
Similar symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the common cold are:
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Running nose.
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Sneezing.
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Watery eyes.
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Fatigue.
The other symptoms of the common cold are:
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Low-grade fever.
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Coughing.
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Nasal congestion.
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Mild headache or slight body aches.
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General feeling unwell.
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Translucent fluid discharge (transparent in case of an allergy).
Symptoms of allergy:
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Wheezing.
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Itchy and watery eyes.
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Rashes on the skin.
In allergy, the symptoms appear rapidly after contact with the allergen, while in the common cold, it takes a day or two. The discharge from the nose may start clear and become thicker and yellow or green as a common cold runs its course.
What Are the Differences Between Common Cold and Allergies?
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Common cold stays for three to 14 days, whereas allergy stays for days to months or as long as the person is in contact with the allergy trigger and a short time after.
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Common cold usually happens in the winter but is possible at any time. In contrast, allergies can happen any time of the year, even though the appearance of some allergy triggers is seasonal.
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In the case of the common cold, symptoms take a few days to appear after infection with the virus. In contrast, in the case of allergy, symptoms can begin immediately after contact with allergy triggers.
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Aches are seldom present with the common cold but never with allergies.
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Watery, itchy eyes are rare with the common cold but often with allergies.
What Are the Precautions to Be Taken for Common Cold?
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Washing hands after touching an object or after returning home and before meals.
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Maintaining hygiene.
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Use of face masks as they prevent direct inhalation of infections.
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Avoid sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses with others.
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Disinfect high-touch surfaces.
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Eat and exercise properly and get good sleep.
What Are the Complications of Common Cold?
The complications that a person can develop from the common cold virus include:
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Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes).
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Ear infections (otitis media).
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Asthma, if present, gets worse.
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Prolonged cough and post-infection phlegm.
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Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).
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Other infections such as strep throat or pneumonia.
How to Diagnose Common Cold?
Most often, people with a common cold are diagnosed by their signs and symptoms. If a bacterial infection or any other condition is suspected, a chest X-ray or other tests may be recommended by the doctor to rule out any other cause of the signs and symptoms.
What Are the Treatment Options for Common Cold?
People often misunderstand the common cold with allergies and take anti-histamine drugs, which provide symptomatic relief but do not cure the infection. Treatment of common cold includes symptomatic therapy (removal of symptoms) like:
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Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) for fever or pain relivers such as Ibuprofen. .
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Antitussives for cough.
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Decongestant nasal sprays.
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Eye drops to relieve itchiness and watering.
Home remedies that are useful in relieving the symptoms of the common cold are:
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Drink a lot of fluids like juice, water, and herbal tea.
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Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they may lead to dehydration.
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Gargle with salt water.
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Sip warm liquids.
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Use the cool most humidifier.
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Use nasal rinses.
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Use saline nasal sprays.
No specific medicines are available to treat common colds and they cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Conclusion
While some common cold and allergy symptoms are similar, these are two different health conditions. Proper diagnosis can help in getting the right treatment, and the person will be on the way to recovery quickly. Both common colds and allergies can cause bacteria and viruses to collect in sinuses and lower airways, resulting in serious infections. In case the symptoms last more than ten days or are getting worse, immediately see a doctor.
