References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | VIRUS - RNA. Picornaviridae. Rhinoviruses, Coronavirus, et al. |
| Reservoir | Human |
| Vector | None |
| Vehicle | Droplet Contact |
| Incubation Period | 1 to 3 days |
| Diagnostic Tests | Viral culture and serology are available, but rarely practical |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Supportive |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | As for adult |
| Clinical Hints | Nasal obstruction or discharge, cough and sore throat are common; fever >38°C unusual in adults; illness usually lasts one week, occasionally two. |
| Synonyms | Acute coryza, Raffreddore |
In young adults, the common cold runs its course in an average of 7 days. Fever is uncommon, and in most cases, rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction predominate.
- Sore throat, cough and hoarseness are often present.
- The nasal tip is often red, and mucoid secretions and a glistening nasal mucosa are evident.
- The pharynx may be mildly edematous and erythematous, but without exudate.
Complications include bacterial sinusitis, otitis media, exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and precipitation of asthma.
- Rare instances of pneumonia have been attributed to infection by Coronavirus strains OC43 and 229E.
- Severe symptoms, including bronchiolitis are associated with Coronavirus HCoV-NL63 infection in young children.