Upper respiratory tract disease - Common cold

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

A viral infection of the upper respiratory tracy

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Can be caused by any type of virus

Most commonly caused by rhinoviruses entering the body through the mouth, eyes or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks.

It also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing contaminated objects, such as eating utensils, towels, toys or telephones

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Weakened immune system
Increased exposure (large crowds etc)
Smoking
Time of year (winter)

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

More common in infants and young children (especially within childcare settings)

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Cough
Congestion
Slight body aches or a mild headache
Sneezing
Low-grade fever
Generally feeling unwell

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

Most cases will get better without treatment, within 7-10 days

Question 7

DDX

Answer 7

Meningitis
Upper airway obstruction
Nasal foreign body
COVID-19
Influenza
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Allergic rhinitis
Glandular fever
Whooping cough (pertussis)