SHOULD WE CALL AND CONSIDER IT COLD ?

DR.M ABBAS SUBHANI
MBBS DCH

The term common cold is used very commonly both by the common man and the physicians. This term is so much commonly used (or misused) that sometimes the prescriptions are given even by the qualified and licensed physicians just on the description of the attendants without the examination of patients.

WHAT IS COMMON COLD :

• So called cold is more common in children and the episodes are more intense (as compared to adults)
• So called cold generally affects many organs (usually whole ENT apparatus and eyes are involved)

Typical symptoms can include sore throat, fever, irritability, restlessness, sneezing, runny nose, cough, headache, aching muscles and reduced appetite. Be cautious about the use of this term as it is also used for the, rapid respiration, wheezing and the hoarseness of voice by some of the patients and physicians. That is why always analyze the words of the patients and other doctor. TAKE DETAILED HISTORY AND PERFORM THOROUGH EXAMINATION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ACTUALLY MEAN These symptoms can hang on for different lengths of time. Fever usually subsides in 1 to 3 days. The runny nose and sore throat often pass within 7 to 10 days. Coughing can go on for 2 to 3 weeks.
Cold is not the actual cause , in some patients it may be a precipitating factor of bronchopulmonary allergy or infections
specially the viral infections

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF USING THE TERM "COMMON COLD "

• Majority of the significant infections and allergies simulate so called common cold in the earlier stages. The presentations change and become distinctive after few days. If this point is not made clear to the patients they may develop false sense of security.
• It may focus the patients' thinking on warming up the patients ( use of warm clothes and heating the rooms it leads to thickening of the secretions, and may worsen the condition) and the use of so called "hot foods" and chest warmers ( use of chicken soup and eggs , there is no harm in using them if there is no risk of cardiac diseases in the patient). Chest warmers (balms liniments and others may themselves cause allergy in some patients)
• If it is not explained clearly what sort of infections are commonly precipitated by the so called common cold, the patients may resort to undue self medication of antibiotics.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE

• It is desired that physicians should avoid the term common cold. They should explain that the patient has developed chest allergy or infection. The cold may have precipitated them but the actual treatment is needed for allergy or infection.

• Regarding the maintenance of room temperature it should be explained clearly that comfortable room temperature is helpful in the early recovery but overheating would increase the suffering of the patient. Use of soup is not necessary but liquid diet is helpful.

• All patients do not need antibiotics it is needed :
• Below 3 months of age
• If there is no significant improvement after 3-4 days of illness
• The color consistency of the nasopharengyeal secretions changes and amount increases significantly.
• Rapid respiration and abnormal sounds from the chest and significant fever are not the feature of so called common cold. If the patient observes any one of them they should attend the physician again for the revision of the treatment plan.