Common cold Flashcards
1
Q
What is the common cold also known as?
A
Coryza
2
Q
What is the common cold?
A
- acute, self-limiting, viral inflammation of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract
3
Q
What are the CO for CC?
A
- rhinovirus (50-80%)
- coronavirus
- influenza
- parainfluenza
- respiratory synyctial virus
- enteroviruses
- adenovirus
4
Q
A
5
Q
What is the route of transmission for these viruses?
A
- airborne
- direct contact c infectious secretions
- home, in schools and in daycare centres
6
Q
What will the CC presentation be like?
A
- nasal discharge
- nasal obstruction
- sneezing
- sore throat
- malaise
- cough
- mild inc. temperature
7
Q
What are the differentials for CC?
A
- Allergic rhinitis - often accompanied by itchy eyes
- Non allergic rhinitis
- Pharyngitis
- Influenza
- Glandular fever
- Whooping cough
- Foreign body - in children
8
Q
How would you mx CC?
A
- advise - no drug proven benefit for prophylaxis
- adequate fluid intake
- adequate rest but that there is usually no need to take time off school and work
9
Q
What are the over-the-counter options for CC?
A
- Gargling with salt water
- Steam inhalation
- Vapour rubs
- Nasal drops (sodium chloride 0.9%) for nasal congestion
- Paracetamol
For under 6
- cough medicine containing honey, lemon, glycerine
10
Q
What are the cx of CC?
A
- Sinusitis
- Otitis media
- Croup in very young children and babies.
- Chest infections: bronchiolitis in the very young, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and exacerbations of COPD or asthma.
11
Q
Which patient groups are more likely to suffer from Cx of CC?
A
- Smokers.
- Immunosuppressed
- Young children born prematurely.
- Elderly people.
- Those with significant comorbidity, particularly asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, and cystic fibrosis, as well as those with any significant cardiac, renal, liver or neuromuscular disease.
12
Q
What is the prognosis of CC?
A
- mild, self-limiting illness
- 1 week in adults
- 10-14 days in children
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