Cold

Pharmaceutical care of
Common Cold
The Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the
upper respiratory tract
 Usually last approximately 7 days
 Associated with a number of viruses
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– Ex. Rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses
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Season of the year, age, and prior exposure
are important factors in the type of virus
causing the infection and the type of
symptoms that may occur
Common Cold Statistics
Adults have 2-4 colds per year
 Children may have up to 10 colds per year
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How does it spread?
Very contagious
 Spread from person to person
 Usually from nasal secretions and from
fingers of the affected person
 Most contagious in the first 3 days after
symptoms begin
 Viruses can last up to 5 hours on the skin
and hard surfaces
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Preventing spread of
GOOD HANDWASHING!
 Cough and sneeze into arm or tissue, not
into your hand
 Aerosol sprays (ex. Lysol)
 Antibacterial sanitizers (ex. Purell)
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Symptoms
Begins with a feeling of dryness and
stuffiness in the nasopharynx (nose)
 Nasal secretions (usually clear and watery)
 Watery eyes
 Red and swollen nasal mucous membranes
 Headache
 Generalized tiredness
 Chills (in severe cases)
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Symptoms cont..
Fever (in severe cases)
 Exhaustion (in severe cases)
If the pharynx and larynx (throat) becomes
involved:
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Sore throat
Hoarseness
Treatment of common cold
Antihistamines
 Decongestants
 Pain Relievers
 Cough suppressants
 Nasal Strips
 Antibiotics are ineffective!!!
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Treatment of common cold
The Don’ts
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Second-generation (nonsedating) antihistamines are
generally ineffective for common cold symptoms.
Intranasal zinc is not recommended; it can cause
permanent damage to sense of smell.
Echinacea does not appear to reduce a cold’s duration or
severity.
Antibiotics are contraindicated—colds are viral, not
bacterial.
Codeine does not reduce coughing.
Immune-boosting with vitamins and herbs does not seem
to prevent colds.
The Common Cold:
Red Flags Warranting Referral
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Temperature over 101 degrees for more than 48 hours
A cough with pain in the chest
Shortness of breath
Persistent sore throat, without a runny or stuffy nose
Age <9 months or frail patients of advanced age
Serious symptoms unresponsive to OTC medicines, or
new symptoms suggesting complications (eg, otitis
media, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, exacerbations of
reactive airway disease)
See the doctor if…
Your throat is very red and it hurts to
swallow
 No improvement within 7 days
 Severe headache with a fever
 Worsening pain in one or both ears
 Any chronic medical condition

– Ex. Asthma or diabetes
Endnote
Colds are costly, with patients spending
money on treatment, OTC products, and
often, useless antibiotics.
 Colds are also responsible for millions of
days of sick leave at work and school.
 Pharmacists’ best course of action is to
help patients self-treat and make rational
choices about OTC products when possible
and to refer patients when complications
are present.
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