What is a cold
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Understanding the Common Cold: Causes, Symptoms, and Impacts
Definition and Causes of the Common Cold
The common cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by viral infections. It is one of the most frequently occurring illnesses in humans worldwide, with over 200 different viruses capable of causing it. Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are responsible for 25-60% of cases, with rhinovirus infections typically occurring during the fall and spring, and coronavirus infections being more common in winter2.
Clinical and Cultural Perspectives on the Common Cold
The term "common cold" is widely used in clinical literature, often treated as a defined clinical syndrome. However, diagnosing the common cold can be challenging due to the variability in symptoms and the large number of viruses involved. Traditional symptom scoring systems, based on studies from over 50 years ago, are not always applicable to modern diagnoses. Consequently, self-diagnosis is often used in clinical research, suggesting that the common cold may be more of a cultural concept than a strictly clinical entity3.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of the common cold include a runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and body aches. These symptoms can vary widely among individuals, making it difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical presentation. Virological diagnosis is also impractical due to the sheer number of potential causative viruses and their varying effects3.
Cold Sensation and Its Biological Mechanisms
Cold sensation is a complex percept that can evoke a range of responses from the pleasant feeling of cooling to the painful sting of cold exposure. This sensation is mediated by specific ion channels in the peripheral nervous system that detect cold stimuli and conduct electrical signals. These channels are differentially expressed in neurons, allowing for a broad range of cold thermal thresholds and distinct functions in perception, pain, and analgesia5.
Cold Urticaria and Cold Intolerance
Cold urticaria (ColdU) is a form of chronic inducible urticaria characterized by the development of wheals and angioedema in response to cold exposure. It involves the formation of autoallergens and the release of proinflammatory mediators from skin mast cells. Management includes cold avoidance, antihistamines, and sometimes omalizumab, though many aspects of ColdU remain poorly understood6.
Cold intolerance, on the other hand, includes symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and skin color changes upon exposure to cold. It can significantly impact quality of life, leading to job disruption or changes. Factors such as gender, fibromyalgia, and upper limb conditions are associated with higher risks of cold intolerance8.
Health Impacts of Cold Spells
Prolonged cold periods, known as cold spells, are associated with increased mortality rates from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. These effects are more pronounced in older populations. Cold spells also contribute to increased morbidity, though the evidence is less quantifiable4.
Conclusion
The common cold is a prevalent and complex illness influenced by a variety of viruses and presenting a wide range of symptoms. While it is often self-diagnosed, understanding its clinical and cultural dimensions is crucial. Additionally, the biological mechanisms of cold sensation, the impacts of cold urticaria and intolerance, and the health effects of cold spells highlight the multifaceted nature of cold-related health issues. Further research is needed to address the gaps in our understanding and improve management strategies.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Therapeutic use of cold.
The term cold refers to the abstraction of heat, to the substance by means of which such abstraction is effected, and to the sensation created by such abstraction. The sensation of cold is evoked when the temperature of the substance is lower than that of the body area to which it is applied. It is possible to develop the paradoxical situation in which the same substance will feel cold to one hand and warm to the other when one hand has been previously immersed in warm water and the other in cold water. The temperature of the skin surface of the torso can be regarded as the neutral point and is usually about 93 F (33.9 C). When water is used as a therapeutic agent it is called tepid if its temperature is between 80 and 93 F (26.7 and 33.9 C); cool, between 65 and 80 F (18.3 and
Exercise and the Common Cold.
A cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by a viral infection. The common cold is probably the most frequently occurring illness in humans worldwide. More than 200 different viruses cause colds, and rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are the culprits 25-60 percent of the time. Rhinovirus infections often occur during the fall and spring seasons, while the coronavirus is more common during the winter.
Global Association of Cold Spells and Adverse Health Effects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Cold spells are associated with increased mortality rates and other adverse health effects globally, with stronger associations for people 65 years of age.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedThe molecular and cellular basis of cold sensation.
Cold sensation involves a complex network of ion channels, which can be used to better understand sensory perception and develop new therapeutic approaches.
Highly CitedCold 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 JournalExpert consensus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cold injury in China, 2020
This consensus aims to standardize and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment of cold injury in China, addressing epidemiology, diagnosis, on-site emergency procedures, in-hospital treatment, and prevention.
Rigorous JournalCold intolerance and associated factors: a population study
Cold intolerance is common in the general population and may lead to job disruption and even job change.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalColds
Dr. Walsh,1 in dealing with this question, remarks that the word " cold," as applied to a complaint, is probably the most used and least understood in the practice of medicine. While it is supposed that low temperature has much to do with the process known as catching cold, most people are well aware that those who live in a dry, very cold climate are not so subject to colds as those who live in a moist, changeable one. It cannot be said either that changesof temperature are the important etiological element, for there are somewhat extensive daily variations of temperature in the arctic regions where colds are uncommon. The old term " rheum " was a better
Principles of Insect Cold-Hardiness
Insect cold-hardiness varies among species, with some being freezing-resistant or freezing-tolerant, while others are freezing-susceptible or freezing-tolerant.
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