Health
The common cold
Young children, especially those under three years, tend to catch colds more frequently than adults because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. You can get one cold after another because there are so many different viruses circulating. There are more than 200 different types of viruses that can cause the common cold.
The common cold is not the same as influenza, also known as flu. Influenza is caused by a different virus (influenza A or B). Influenza is much more serious than a cold and can be life-threatening.
Colds spread when a person breathes in the virus that has been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infectious person. People can also catch colds by touching an infectious person’s hand and then touching their own eyes, nose or mouth.
Transmission of colds is common in daycare and schools due to the presence of many children with under-developed immune systems and without best hygiene practices.
Viruses can survive for prolonged periods in the environment, in some cases more than 18 hours.
Colds usually mean you get a combination of:
- runny or blocked nose
- sore throat
- fever (occasionally)
- headache
- cough
- sneezing
See a doctor for the following symptoms:
- persistent coloured discharge from the nose
- difficulty breathing
- high fever that does not respond to paracetamol
- vomiting frequently
- intense headache
- persistent cough.
Where to get help:
- Speak to your chemist about over-the-counter treatments
- Ring healthdirect on 1800 022 222
- See your doctor if your symptoms are severe
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using medications, to make sure that they are safe for you or your child.
Judy Buckley
College Nurse