Common Cold Research Paper

a) The common cold

Common cold is simply known as a cold, is a viral diseases that affects the upper respiratory tract primarily the nose. Common cold also affect the sinuses, bronchial tubes and the ear. Colds usually last for about a week. Mild colds can last up to three days whereas severe colds can last up to two weeks. Colds are caused by viruses. More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold. There are two groups of viruses, rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. These are the two very common virus groups that cause colds. The different viruses cause different colds, that’s why a person can get several colds, one after the other.

Common colds can have more complications if the cold persists. This complications are mainly:

• Acute bacterial

Diarrhea less than two weeks is known as acute or mild diarrhea. If it lasts for more than two weeks then it’s called chronic diarrhea. The most cases of diarrhea are usually acute.

Acute diarrhea is usually caused by: Infectious gastroenteritis, food poisoning, use of antibiotics and food allergies. Chronic diarrhea is usually caused by: Dietary factors, such as lactose intolerance or overconsumption of certain foods, infections (specifically those caused by parasites), celiac and bowel diseases.

If a child experiences prolonged diarrhea then dehydration complication may arise. Dehydration is the excess loss of fluids, when a child has severe diarrhea, this will in turn cause dehydration. Children experiencing dehydration are usually less playful and always cry and complain consistently. Furthermore, kids that have severely dehydrated tend to be sleepy. Other rare complications are Reiter's syndrome and HUS.

Mostly,diarrhea is self-limiting and will go away in due time. The best way to ease diarrhea is by making sure the child is well hydrated. Breastfeeding is recommended because study shows that breast milk is very beneficial to children suffering acute diarrhea. Drugs that are used in stopping diarrhea like Loperamide, should not be prescribed to

This is a medical complicationbrought about by infections to the abdominal cavity. This can cause the appendix or bowel torupture. Other complications associated with stomachaches are fatigue, loss of appetite, pain or difficulty when urinating.

Treatment for young children usually depends on the doctors thinking of what may be causing the aches. Treatment can sometimes be as easy as advising the parent to make sure the child takes fluids rests and is on a balance diet. Other treatments include hospital admission or even surgery, depending on the doctor’s examination.

These are ways stomachaches can be managed in order ease the pain:

• Making sure the child gets plenty of rest.

• Keeping the child hydrated by insuring he/she takes enough water.

• Don’t force the child to eat if they feel unwell.

• Place a warm water bottle on a child’s tummy

• If the child is in a lot of pain, the right dose of paracetamol is