What Is a Head Cold?
Head cold formerly and is most commonly known as the common cold. Usually, it is a mild illness infecting the upper respiratory tract; however, with an increase in the severity of the illness, the symptoms might change from mild to moderate and even severe, which hinders an individual's daily routine. The characteristic feature of a head cold is sneezes (including sniffles), coughing, body ache, and a sore throat. Getting infected from a head cold often leaves an individual feeling sore, fatigued, low on energy, and unwell for several days, in worst cases, even for weeks.
Children are at a higher risk of getting infected by a head cold than an adult. Head cold is one of the common illnesses that cause an adult to take leave from work and children to miss school. The disease most commonly lasts for a week or two. But in some cases (individuals with significantly poor immunity), the common cold can transform into certain life-threatening complications such as sinus infection, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Individuals suffering from a head cold might develop severe symptoms if they have a history of smoking.
Often the curve of head cold increases, stays stagnant, and then declines within a manner of ten days without any medical attention; however, in cases where the curve does not steep down, and the symptoms last for more than two weeks, involvement of medical therapy is suggested.
What Is the Difference Between a Head Cold and a Sinus Infection?
Head cold and sinus infection both affect the nose or upper respiratory tract, and hence there is some misconception about both the diseases.
Sinus infection is the condition wherein the fluid builds up in the sinuses or hollow spaces around the nose, cheeks, and forehead, bacteria grows in there, leading to infection and hence sinus infection.
Symptoms of sinus infection are:
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Discharge from the nose, often green in color.
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Postnasal drip (consisting of mucus).
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Pain or tenderness of the sinus region (cheeks, forehead, and behind the eyes).
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Toothache.
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Fever.
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Fatigue.
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Halitosis (bad breath).
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Poor oral hygiene.
A head cold is a viral infection, and a sinus infection is a bacterial infection, however, some viruses can cause a sinus infection.
Both the diseases have specific and separate symptoms. But some of the common symptoms of a head cold and sinus infection are:
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Congestion.
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Headache.
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Cough.
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Cold.
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Sore throat.
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Bodyache.
What Is the Difference Between a Head Cold and a Flu?
Flu and head cold seem similar as they have a common target area, the upper respiratory tract. Both the head cold and the flu are caused due to a viral infection, however, there is a steep difference between the symptoms of a head cold and the flu. Differentiating between the two is crucial as the treatment for the two varies, and a formal diagnosis makes it easier for healthcare professionals to provide an individual with a treatment plan.
Differentiating features are:
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The onset of symptoms for colds starts gradually; it takes around one to three days, whereas, with flu, the onset of symptoms is sudden.
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The severity of the symptoms of cold are mild to moderate, but in the case of flu, the severity ranges from moderate to severe.
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It is quite rare to develop fever, headache, nausea, and chills in case of a head cold, but they are quite commonly observed in the patients suffering from flu.
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The severity of body chills, congestion, and chest discomforts are mild to moderate in case of a head cold but the severity increases in case of the flu.
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The characteristic feature of the common cold is sneezing, which is only occasionally observed in the case of flu.
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There are often no complications seen in the case of cold, whereas there are severe complications seen in the case of the flu, such as sinusitis, ear infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
What Is the Difference Between a Head Cold and a Chest Cold?
Like similar names, a head cold and a chest cold affect the respiratory tract. But the differences are as follows:
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Head cold infects the upper respiratory tract, whereas a chest cold involves the lower respiratory tract.
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Head cold occurs when the symptoms involve the head, nose, and throat region. A chest cold or acute bronchitis, on the other hand, involves the lungs. It includes swelling up on the airway or trachea with mucus build-up in the lungs.
In rare untreated cases of a head cold, it may develop into a chest cold.
The difference in the symptoms of a head cold and chest cold are:
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Coughing, runny, dripping nose, and sneezing are commonly observed in the case of a head cold but in the case of a chest cold, coughing with mucus (or sputum) is a characteristic feature of a chest cold.
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Chest soreness is a common symptom of a chest cold.
What Causes a Head Cold?
As it has been established before that, a head cold is caused due to viral infection.
Different types of viruses that cause a head cold are:
1. Rhinoviruses.
2. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
3. Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV).
4. Adenovirus.
5. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Other factors causing a head cold are:
1. Air droplets from an infected person.
2. Weak immune system.
3. Infant or a child below the age of five.
4. Smoking.
5. Cold air or weather.
What Are the Symptoms of a Head Cold?
As discussed above, a head cold affects the upper respiratory tract consisting of the nose, throat, and head. Specific symptoms are:
Nasal Symptoms:
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Runny nose.
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Stuffy nose.
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Dripping nose.
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Sneezing.
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Congestion.
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Sinus pressure.
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Loss of smell and taste.
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Postnasal drip.
Throat Symptoms:
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Cough.
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Swollen lymph nodes.
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Difficulty breathing deeply.
Head Symptoms:
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Headache.
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Sore or tender scalp.
General Body Symptoms:
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Fatigue.
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Sore muscles.
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Low-grade fever (often below 100 degrees).
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Bodyache.
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Chills (rare and occasional).
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A general feeling of uneasiness.
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Chest discomfort.
The incubation period for the symptoms of a head cold to appear is one to three days. Symptoms could last for about a week or two.
What Is the Treatment of Head Cold?
A head cold is a mild infection, which often resolves on its own without any medical intervention; however, in case of severe symptoms or when symptoms do not vanish in two weeks, seeking medical help is vital. Since a head cold is a viral infection, antibiotics are worthless and ineffective. The treatment plan for a head cold involves:
1. Medicinal Therapy:
The use of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen helps in relieving the basic general symptoms such as fever, body aches, muscle aches, and headache. Cough syrup such as Promethazine helps to relieve cough, cold, and sneezing. Cough drops, throat sprays, and lozenges help to relieve sore throat and coughing, which are the flagging symptoms of a head cold.
2. Home Remedies:
Certain home remedies are suggested to help alleviate the symptoms of a head cold.
They are:
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Rest, complete and proper bed rest is suggested to ease up body ache and sore muscles.
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Hydration is a must, as water helps to flush out the toxin accumulated in the body due to the infection.
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Salt water gargling helps to soothe a sore throat.
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Nasal sprays help with nasal congestion, nasal blockage, nasal dripping, itching, sneezing, and nasal drainage.
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Supplements such as vitamin A, C, E, and zinc help to prevent and treat a head cold.
However, it is not advisable to completely rely on home remedies. Instead, consult with your doctor to prevent the head cold from worsening.
What Are the Complications of Head Cold?
Untreated and severe cases of a head cold, on rare occasions, lead to certain complications as listed below:
1. Bronchial asthma.
2. Acute sinusitis.
3. Otitis media (ear infection).
4. Strep throat.
5. Pneumonia.
6. Croup (infection of the upper respiratory tract characterized by a barking sound).
7. Inflammation of throat and sinuses.
8. Bronchitis.
Conclusion:
Head cold or the common cold, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, is a mild treatable infection. A head cold has mild symptoms and gets better on its own within one to two weeks. Head colds are highly contagious, and prevention should be taken seriously while dealing with a head cold.
The graph of symptoms steeps up for the first four to five days and then starts stepping down after five to six days. In case the graph is stagnant and is not stepping down, treatment is advised.
