A cold can be defined as a cold. Its medical name is "nasopharyngitis". The common cold is in the category of viral infections that occur in the upper respiratory tract, namely the nose and throat. The common cold can occur at any time of the year. The common cold can be caused by many different types of viruses.

The common cold can occur mostly during seasonal transitions and sudden temperature changes. There are more than 200 types of viruses that cause the common cold. These virus types can be listed as follows;

· Rhinoviruses,

· coronaviruses, 

· Adenoviruses 

· RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

 Normally, the common cold heals in 7 days to 10 days. However, if the common cold causes diseases such as sinusitis, otitis media or pneumococcus, the recovery time of the common cold may be longer. The common cold is often confused with the flu. However, the common cold is a much milder illness than the flu. While there is no complaint of runny nose in flu, the main complaint in cold is a runny nose.

Who Gets Colds?

The risk of catching a cold is most common in children younger than 6 years old. At the same time, adults can have colds 2 or 4 times a year. In many cases, patients recover from a cold within 7 or 10 days. If signs and symptoms do not improve within 7 to ten days, patients should see a doctor.

What Causes a Cold?

The causes of the common cold can be listed as follows;

– Various viruses,

– The viruses that cause the common cold enter the human body through the mouth, eyes or nose. 

It spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. In the case of this spread, it causes the transmission of colds to healthy individuals.

Causes people with a chronic illness or otherwise weakened immune systems to catch colds. 

What are the Symptoms of a Cold?

The causes of the common cold can be listed as follows;

Symptoms appear 3-4 hours after viruses that cause colds are taken into the body.

runny nose

Nasal congestion

· Throat ache

Low fever

· Weakness

Body pain

· Headache

· sneezing

Difficulty in breathing

Conditions such as cough are among the symptoms of cold. When some cold symptoms are encountered, it is necessary to consult a doctor, and these symptoms can be listed as follows;

Symptoms of a more severe cold include fever higher than 38 degrees, 

fever lasting five days or longer 

Re-starting a fever after a fever-free period, 

wheezing, 

shortness of breath,

severe sore throat, 

· When symptoms such as sinus pain are observed, a doctor should be examined. 

What are the Cold Diagnostic Methods?

Because of the most common symptom of the common cold, it is easy to diagnose and fairly easy in many cases. But if the doctor suspects a bacterial infection or other condition, they may order a chest X-ray or other tests to rule out other causes of these signs and symptoms. When the upper respiratory tract is examined, the common cold mostly affects the nasal area. The patient can usually self-diagnose. A person cannot decide for himself which type of virus causes the common cold by looking at the symptoms. 

What should be considered in order to be protected from the common cold?

It is not possible to be vaccinated because there are so many types of viruses that cause colds and they mutate so quickly. In order to prevent colds, it is necessary to pay attention to the following situations;

• It is necessary to take care to wear a mask. 
• It is necessary to pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness, hands should be washed regularly.
• When zinc supplements are taken into the body, they can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
• A healthy and regular diet should keep the immune system strong.
• The environment where the patient is located should be ventilated frequently.
• After the hands come into contact with some objects, it is necessary to avoid touching the mouth, nose, eyes and their surroundings without cleaning.
• It is necessary to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits according to the season.
• To strengthen immunity multivitamin Need to use supplements