Common cold - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice

Common cold - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice

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Common cold is usually self-limited and resolves within a few days. Most people experience at least one common cold per year.

Diagnosis is generally clinical, based on history and exam. Investigations may be required when symptoms worsen or do not resolve in the usual timeframe.

Treatment includes reassurance that this is a self-limiting condition, rest, adequate fluid intake, and symptom relief. Antibiotics are not recommended.

Complications include bacterial infections such as otitis media, sinusitis, or pneumonia.

An acute, self-limited inflammation of the upper respiratory mucosa that may involve any or all of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx. The condition is not characterized by a discrete set of specific symptoms, with the illness varying according to individual and causative pathogen. Occasionally there is spread to the lower respiratory tract. Symptoms include sore throat, sneezing, blocked and/or runny nose, headache, cough, malaise, and low-grade fever. The condition is associated with more than 200 virus subtypes.

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care

BA is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care

TK is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care

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Jefferson T, Del Mar CB, Dooley L, et al. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Nov 20;11:CD006207.Full textAbstract

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