Common Cold

Acute nasopharyngitis is the scientific name of the common sickness that people all over the world are diagnosed with yearly. Nasopharyngitis literally means inflammation of the nasopharynx, the nasal part of the pharynx. This part of the body can be found at the back of the nose and above the throat. This medical term is more known as common cold, a disease that occurs mostly to kids and young adults. According to health experts, an individual gets colds at least 3 times a year.

Causes/Risk Factors
Cold virus is the cause of acute nasopharyngitis. It infects the upper respiratory system, particularly the nasopharynx, and the organs around it. The virus can enter the body through the nostrils and sometimes even through the eyes. Once it reached the nasopharynx, it stays there and multiplies. It causes the swelling of the pharynx's nasal and infects the nearer organs. As a result, the person infected by the virus gets common cold.

There are many types of virus that can cause acute nasopharingitis (e.g. parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus). These viruses are usually transmitted through the air, but sometimes, they are also acquired through direct contact with an infected person or object. Among the risk factors for common cold include sneezing, kissing, and coughing. While these risk factors do not always immediately lead to common cold, they can, however, increase the chances of acquiring one.

Symptoms
Of the number of people exposed to cold virus, only about a third or a half of it develops common cold. More often than not, symptoms are already apparent 1 to 2 days following the exposure to the virus. In most cases, a sore throat indicates the onset of a common cold. Other symptoms of common cold include clogging of mucous in the nose, aching of the body and head, and irritation or restless sensation in the throat. Sometimes, the eyes are also affected, making them teary and red. Repeated coughing and sneezing are also typical of a cold patient. Since the eyes, nose, tongue, and ears are interconnected, the person's five classical senses are affected. As a result, the organs' capacity to do their functions is reduced. In addition, a patient may also have difficulty swallowing food because of throat infection. Since the nose is clogged with mucous, the patient will feel discomfort when breathing. Oftentimes, a fever also occurs.

Treatment Overview
Our human body has its own way of coping up with common colds, hence, no there is no particular treatment for it. Medications are often taken only to ease the symptoms of the cold and for the patient to feel a little comfort. A person with common cold can take paracetamol, aspirin, and other antibiotics for faster recovery, but generally, doctors advise patients to get enough rest and to drink plenty of liquids. Eating food rich in Vitamin C such as citrus fruits will also help a lot. Likewise, a patient should refrain from stressful work to avoid complications. A study also showed that eating hot soup can help a patient feel considerably better since it aids in unclogging the nose-full of mucous. It is also advised that a patient eat foods that can boost the immune system.

Prevention
One can prevent cold by making his body physically fit, eating healthy diets, and avoiding crowded places. A healthy mind and body can decrease the risk of getting cold as well as its effects once afflicted by it. A person should also cover his mouth and nose when someone sneezes so that the intrusion of virus will be prevented. Likewise, one should avoid using or having direct contact with anything used by a person with cold. It also helps if a person always washes his hands thoroughly.  Although the virus cannot enter the body through the skin of the hands, it can still do so once your they touch your eyes and nose.