Coronaviruses (Common Cold Viruses)
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About This Disease
For information on COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) go here.
There are a number of viruses that can potentially cause the common cold, including rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus. A cold usually begins with a sore throat and runny nose then develops into coughing and sneezing. Symptoms typically last 7-10 days. Although, people with weakened immune systems or with respiratory conditions, including asthma, could develop severe disease like pneumonia and symptoms could last longer. Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes and those respiratory secretions come in contact with another person’s eyes, mouth, or nose. The best way to protect yourself from common cold viruses is proper hand hygiene, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding contact with sick individuals. It is very important for sick individuals to stay home from work or school, wash your hands, and cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow to prevent further spread.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a number of viruses that can potentially cause the common cold, including rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus. A cold usually begins with a sore throat and runny nose then develops into coughing and sneezing. Other symptoms include Symptoms typically last 7-10 days. Although, people with weakened immune systems or with respiratory conditions, including asthma, could develop severe disease like pneumonia and symptoms could last longer. Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes and those respiratory secretions come in contact with another person’s eyes, mouth, or nose. The best way to protect yourself from common cold viruses is proper hand hygiene, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding contact with sick individuals. It is very important for sick individuals to stay home from work or school, wash your hands, and cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow to prevent further spread.
Transmission
There are a number of viruses that can potentially cause the common cold, including rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus. A cold usually begins with a sore throat and runny nose then develops into coughing and sneezing. Other symptoms include Symptoms typically last 7-10 days. Although, people with weakened immune systems or with respiratory conditions, including asthma, could develop severe disease like pneumonia and symptoms could last longer. Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact when an infected person coughs or sneezes and those respiratory secretions come in contact with another person’s eyes, mouth, or nose. The best way to protect yourself from common cold viruses is proper hand hygiene, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding contact with sick individuals. It is very important for sick individuals to stay home from work or school, wash your hands, and cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow to prevent further spread.
Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis is made based on symptoms. Laboratory tests are not routinely performed because a result would not affect treatment recommendations.
Treatment
Antibiotics cannot cure the common cold. There is currently no treatment for common cold viruses. The only treatment available help relieve symptoms. The best way to feel better is to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Risk in Hawaii
There is no immunity to the common cold, as many people can experience symptoms several times within a year.
Prevention
The best way to prevent any respiratory infection is to avoid close contact with sick individuals, proper hand hygiene, and avoid touching your face (especially mouth, nose, and eyes). The best way a sick individual can prevent further spread is to stay home from school or work and cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, proper hand hygiene.
Information for Clinicians
A virus causes the following symptomology: mucus filling the nasal passages, a runny nose, congestion, post-nasal drip, sore throat, and cough. Therefore, antibiotics should not be prescribed when a patient is suspected of a cold and should not be used to prevent severe disease caused by cold viruses. If still unsure whether illness is caused by a virus or bacteria, nasopharyngeal specimens can be obtained for respiratory panel testing at Hawaii’s major clinical laboratories. Consult your clinical laboratory partner for more information.
Last Reviewed: June 2024