Progression of a cold

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Progression of a Common Cold

Initial Onset and Early Symptoms

The common cold, primarily caused by rhinoviruses, is the most frequent infection among humans. The onset of cold symptoms typically begins within 24 hours of exposure to the virus. The initial symptom is often a sore throat, which serves as an early indicator of the illness. This is usually accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and headache .

Symptom Development and Overlap

During the first few days of a cold, there is a significant overlap of symptoms. Nasal congestion, pain (such as sore throat, headache, and muscle pains), and secretory symptoms (like runny nose and sneezing) are commonly experienced together. Cough, although not the most frequent symptom initially, becomes more prominent and bothersome as the cold progresses .

Role of Inflammatory Mediators

The host's response to the virus plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the common cold. Inflammatory mediators, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines, are significant contributors to the symptoms experienced. These cytokines are responsible for generating familiar symptoms such as fever, anorexia, malaise, chilliness, headache, and muscle aches 12.

Symptom Severity and Duration

The severity and duration of cold symptoms can vary. Typically, sore throat is the most bothersome symptom on the first day, followed by nasal congestion from days two to five, and cough from days six to seven. This progression highlights the dynamic nature of cold symptoms and the need for targeted symptomatic treatment .

Impact of Cold Exposure

There is a common belief that exposure to cold temperatures can trigger the onset of cold symptoms. Research indicates that acute chilling of the feet can indeed cause the onset of cold symptoms in about 10% of individuals exposed to such conditions. However, this does not necessarily correlate with an increase in respiratory infections, suggesting that cold exposure may trigger symptoms in susceptible individuals without causing an actual infection .

Conclusion

Understanding the progression of a common cold involves recognizing the early onset of symptoms, the overlapping nature of these symptoms, and the role of inflammatory mediators. While cold exposure can trigger symptoms in some individuals, the primary cause remains viral infection. Effective management of cold symptoms requires a targeted approach to address the most bothersome symptoms at each stage of the illness.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment of the Common Cold

Current treatments for common colds have limited efficacy against specific symptoms, with inflammation playing a key role in the illness' pathogenesis.

Systematic ReviewHighly Cited

1997·

154citations

·R. Turner

Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza

New knowledge of cytokines helps explain some previously folkloric symptoms of colds and flu, improving our understanding of their mechanisms.

Highly Cited

2005·

544citations

·R. Eccles

The natural history of community-acquired common colds symptoms assessed over 4-years.

Common cold symptoms overlap significantly in the first few days, with nasal congestion, secretory, and pain symptoms frequently occurring together, and cough being less prominent but still very bothersome.

Observational Study

2015·

38citations

·T. Witek et al.

Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure

Cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD) in hands and feet can impair tactile sensitivity, manual dexterity, and muscle contractile characteristics, while increasing pain and sympathetic drive, affecting gross motor function and survival.

Literature ReviewHighly Cited

2015·

97citations

·S. Cheung

Acute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms.

Acute chilling of the feet can cause the onset of common cold symptoms in around 10% of subjects, but further studies are needed to determine the relationship between symptom generation and respiratory infection.

RCT

2005·

67citations

·Claire D. Johnson et al.

Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome: phenotype and genotype of an autosomal dominant periodic fever.

Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) is a rare autosomal dominant inflammatory disorder with episodic symptoms precipitated by cold exposure, conjunctivitis, age of onset, duration of episodes, and an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2001·

310citations

·H. Hoffman et al.

Symptom Profile of Common Colds in School-Aged Children

The common cold in school-aged children is characterized by nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose, with symptoms typically continuing for at least 10 days.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2008·

104citations

·D. Pappas et al.

THE COMMON COLD

The common cold is caused by various viruses, with seasonal patterns indicating the most common times for outbreaks, and diagnostic tests aid in identifying differential diagnoses.

1996·

46citations

·G. L. Kirkpatrick

Cold urticaria – What we know and what we do not know

Cold urticaria is a common chronic condition characterized by wheals, angioedema, or both in response to cold exposure, with current understanding and management relying on cold avoidance, nonsedating antihistamines, and off-label omalizumab.

Rigorous Journal

2020·

63citations

·N. Maltseva et al.

Cold-related symptoms among the healthy and sick of the general population: National FINRISK Study data, 2002.

Large proportions of people in the north experience cold-related symptoms, particularly in those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Observational Study

2011·

35citations

·Simo Näyhä et al.

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