common cold

What Causes the Common Cold?

sick man A virus — actually, about two hundred different viruses — causes the common cold. Contrary to popular belief, we seldom catch a cold from airborne particles expelled when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes or if we drink or eat something that they drank or ate from. However, we easily pick up cold-causing viruses through hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or from objects (doorknobs, computer mouse, telephone) that have been contaminated with a cold virus.

This shows you the importance of proper hand washing!

Most colds clear themselves up in about a week to ten days, but sometimes it can lead to pneumonia if you don’t take care of yourself when you are sick or if your immune system isn’t working well.

What A Virus Does – In Simple Terms

DNA drawing Viruses act by infecting your body’s healthy cells and using those cells’ reproductive machinery to make more viruses — (your DNA & RNA). At some point, the cells burst and die — letting all the new little viruses loose to infect even more of your cells. (Now, impress your biology teacher with that information). The destruction of cells lining the throat and respiratory tract causes the sore throat, cough, and runny nose characteristic of a cold. Fever, aches, and fatigue actually result from the body’s immune response to the virus and not actually from the “cold” at all.

Treatment

To feel better: REST, sip hot liquids — such as chicken soup, or herbal tea, drink lots of water, and eat healthy foods. Call your health care provider if your fever gets over 101° F or if you start coughing up “gunk” that looks funky and is yellow or green.

soapRemember to wash your hands often & have family members do the same so you don’t spread it to them! This can prevent them from catching your cold.

 

Amy - Teen's Health Expert

By Amy - Teen's Health Expert

Discover the dedicated author behind Teen Health Secrets, an experienced expert committed to providing in-depth knowledge and guidance on various aspects of teen health, ensuring young individuals lead healthy, informed lives.