If you have cold symptoms and return negative antigen tests quickly, isolation is not mandatory – but it is a good idea. But how long do you have to stay away from others when you have a cold? Generally, you are infectious until your symptoms disappear and you should stay away until you are well again. Transmitting your cold to others may mean an unnecessary COVID test for them. Some people may have a prolonged cough or other symptoms when they have passed the normal infectious period. If your rat is clear about COVID and your symptoms persist, it is a good idea to consult your doctor to rule out other infections or complications. Read more: Health check: Do I feel a little sick, stay home or go to work?
What causes a “common cold”?
Unlike other infectious diseases with a specific cause – such as COVID, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 – the “common cold” is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract with a set of classic signs but symptoms caused by a specific virus. Common colds affect the upper respiratory tract. Shutterstock The common cold is most often caused by more than 100 different human rhinovirus serotypes (viruses in one species with the same number and type of surface proteins). The common cold can also be caused by many other viruses, including human common cold viruses, flu viruses, adenoviruses and others. We catch colds repeatedly because when we develop immunity to one type of virus that can cause a cold, another occurs in which we are not immune. Some of them mutate over time and “escape” the antibodies we have created in a previous infection. While we tend to treat colds as harmless, they can cause serious illness in the very young, the elderly, or others with weaker immune systems. This can lead to hospitalization and can cause asthma in susceptible individuals.
How are colds transmitted?
Cold viruses are transmitted by touching the eyes, mouth, nose, or food with virus-infected hands, direct contact with others, or inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Preschoolers have six to eight (or more) colds a year. Children seem to be key drivers of transmission in the community and bring the infection home from kindergarten or school. Good hand hygiene reduces the chance of catching a cold. Shutterstock Adults then carry the infections to their workplaces. Poor workplace ventilation can increase the risk of catching colds. Colds are more common in the fall, winter and spring, or during the rainy season if you live in the tropics.
Life cycle of the common cold
The median incubation period (the most common time it takes for symptoms to appear) can vary considerably from about half a day to five and a half days, depending on the virus involved. In a rhinovirus infection it is about two days, although the symptoms can appear in just half a day. Generally, you may be infected for one to two days before you have symptoms and while you have symptoms. Adults and adolescents usually recover from their symptoms in about seven to ten days. Coughing may last longer for some people, especially younger children.
What are your symptoms and why?
Inflammation from the infection can cause a number of symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and coughing. Colds occur because a chemical called histamine causes your blood vessels to leak more. Your snout starts clean and fluid. Over time it will tend to thicken. As your immune cells fight the infection, some white blood cells will die, changing the color of the mucus. As the immune response begins at a high rate, white blood cells called neutrophils produce a green, chemical-fighting infection (myeloperoxidase). When many neutrophils die in the process of fighting the virus, myeloperoxidase causes green snails. If your runny nose persists for a long time or if you experience facial pain, you may have a vaginal infection. Read also: Curious Kids: Why does my snout turn green when I’m cold?
How to prevent colds and transmission
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following precautions to reduce the risk to others:
stay home while you have symptoms (and keep sick children at home away from school or daycare). For most people, this will take about seven to ten days if you need to cough or sneeze, do it on your elbow. If you use tissues, throw away the contaminated tissues and then wash your hands
Cough in your elbow. Shutterstock
Wash or disinfect your hands frequently as rhinoviruses can remain on fingers and objects for several hours. Transmission occurs when you are within walking distance of others. So you can choose to work from home, if possible. If you can not, keep your distance from your colleagues Since aerosol transmission is possible, depending on the virus involved, you could also wear a mask at work for a week or two after your symptoms have subsided or if you have returned to work with a prolonged cough. disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Finally, train yourself to avoid touching your face. One study compared upper respiratory tract infections into two groups – one that washable only and one that washed hands and used a Smartwatch with a sensor to monitor hand movements and give reminders not to touch the face. The group with hand monitoring and reminders touched her face less frequently and had a 53% reduction in upper respiratory tract infections.
