Common Cold Center - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Family Physician Doctors for Common ColdType of Physician: Family Physician What is a Family Physician? A certification by the Board of Family Practice; practitioners prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages, placing special emphasis on the care of families on a continuing basis. They have received a broad range of training that includes surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and geriatrics. Specialty: Family Practice Common Name: Family Doctor Family Physician Doctors in Alexandria * Heron Medical Ctr  Family Practice  David K Choi MD  Belle Haven Family Medicine  Telegraph Corner Family Medicine  Telegraph Corner Family Medicine  Telegraph Corner Family Medicine  Telegraph Corner Family Medicine  Michael C Trahos DO  Osteopathatic Family Physicians Ltd  Bradlee Family Health Center  Steinmetz Medical Associates  Steinmetz Medical Associates  Steinmetz Medical Associates  Steinmetz Medical Associates  Michael A Redding MD  Michael A Redding MD  Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates  Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates  Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates  Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates  Armstrong Heyrana & Associates Inc  Wendy Handler MD  Family Medicine Associates of Alexandria  Family Medicine Associates of Alexandria  Bradley Ware MD  Falls Church Medical Care Center  Manchester Lakes Medical Center  Advanced Health Center  Premier Primary Care  Adolfo L Diaz MD  Kaveh Parvaresh MD  Kingstowne Family Practice  Charles Sneiderman MD  Springfield Family Medicine Ltd  Health First Associates PC  Springfield Family Medicine Ltd  John H Molaiy MD  Dr John L Curry & Associates  Arlington Osteopathic General Practice PC  Arlington Osteopathic General Practice PC  Michelle L Fuselier MD  Kaplan Clinic  Kaplan Clinic  Ezra M Morgan MD  Michelle T Chu MD  Seven Corners Family Practice  So Dong Nguyen MD  Liem T Nguyen MD  Virginia Medical Alliance  Peter Kim MD  Yong Oh MD  Little Falls Family Physicians  Little Falls Family Physicians  Associates In Medicine  Associates In Medicine  Gordon W Theisz MD  Bikan Octain MD  Family Physicians of Arlington  Falls Church Osteopathic Medicine  Leslie Brandwin MD  Northern VA Primary Care Associates  Annandale Family Medicine PC  Annandale Family Medicine PC  Annandale Family Medicine PC  Cissy Pottanat MD  Old Dominion Medical Center  Old Dominion Medical Center  Old Dominion Medical Center  Robert Comunale MD  Partner MD  McLean Immediate Care Inc  McLean Immediate Care Inc  Partner MD  McLean Immediate Care Inc  Chester W Kessler MD  Williamsburg Square Family Practice  Williamsburg Square Family Practice  Williamsburg Square Family Practice  Gurpreet S Bajwa MD  Huntsman Medical Center  Family Healthcare of Fairfax  Huntsman Medical Center  Wynn Family Medicine  Atlantic Medical Associates Ltd  Femme Care  Prosperity Primary Medicine  Virginia Family Health  Drs Ora & Richard Chusuei  Nasrin Ejtemaee MD  Woodson Family Practice  Burke Family Practice  Burke Family Practice  Burke Family Practice  Burke Family Practice  Emergency USA  Jasmine Moghissi MD PC  Virginia Family Medicine  Vienna Family Medicine  Vienna Family Medicine Alexandria, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
2012-06-09
2012-06-16
2012-06-17
2012-06-17
2012-08-05
2012-09-01
2012-10-13
2012-10-28
2012-10-28
Common ColdRead the Common Cold article » What is the common cold, and what causes it?The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have three to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to four colds per year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days.
How is the common cold spread?The common cold is usually spread by direct hand-to-hand contact with infected secretions or from contaminated surfaces. For example, if a person with a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone else, that person can subsequently become infected with the virus. Additionally, a cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects.
Does it have anything to do with exposure to cold weather?Though the common cold usually occurs in the fall and winter months, the cold weather itself does not cause the common cold. Rather, it is thought that during... Recommended Reading Related to Common ColdEustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) » What is the Eustachian tube?The Eustachian tube is a tube that originates in the back of the nose, runs a slightly uphill course, and ends in the middle ear space. The middle ear space is the hollowed out portion of the skull bone that contains the hearing apparatus and is covered on one side by the eardrum. In adults, the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long (1.3 inches) and approximately 3 mm in diameter (less than 1/10 inch). Cartilage provides the supporting structure for the first two-thirds of the Eustachian tube, with the last third (the part closest to the middle ear space) being made of bone. The tissue that lines the Eustachian tube is similar to that inside the nasal cavity and may respond the same way (swelling) when presented with similar stimuli. The Eustachian tube was named in honor of the 16th century Italian anatomiast Eustachius. Sources credit Almaceon of Sparta as the first to describe the structure in approximately 400 BC... Read the Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) article » Other Related Common Cold ArticlesEmergency Contact for Alexandria
Nearby Alexandria Hospitals *The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Inova Alexandria Hospital Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Fort Washington Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington The George Washington University Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Dominion Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Howard University Hospital United Medical Center Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Sibley Memorial Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Psychiatric Institute of Washington The HSC Pediatric Center Providence Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center Walter Reed Army Medical Center Washington Adventist Hospital National Institutes of Health Holy Cross Hospital Suburban Hospital Doctors Community Hospital Potomac Hospital Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Civista Medical Center Reston Hospital Center Laurel Regional Hospital Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Prince William Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Calvert Memorial Hospital Howard County General Hospital Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Anne Arundel Medical Center Baltimore Washington Medical Center Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Common Cold by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
19 articles-
Headache
- Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
-
Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
-
Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
-
Sinus Infection
- Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
-
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infection are generally with OTC medication and home remedies.
-
Chronic Cough
- Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
-
Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears)
- The Eustachian tube is a membrane lined tube that connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose. Problems include partial or complete blockage which can cause popping, clicking, and ear fullness. Allergies, sinus and ear infections, or the common cold can cause this blockage, while altitude changes can cause symptoms in those persons with Eustachian tube problems. Treatment includes several maneuvers (swallowing, chewing gum, yawning etc.), which can be done to improve Eustachian tube function.
-
Laryngitis
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from degree of laryngitis and age of the patient. Common symptoms include croup, hoarse cough, fever, cold, runny nose, dry cough, and loss of voice. Chronic laryngitis generally lasts more than three weeks. Causes other than infection include smoking, excess coughing, GERD, and more. Treatment depends on the cause of laryngitis.
-
Sinus Headache
- Sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection or inflammation of the sinus cavities. The primary symptom of a sinus infection is pain and increasing pressure overlying the area and associated tenderness to the touch. Treatment of a sinus headache depends on the cause.
-
Snoring
- Snoring, like all other sounds, is caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves. While we are asleep, turbulent air flow can cause the tissues of the nose and throat to vibrate and give rise to snoring. Any person can snore. Snoring is believed to occur in anywhere from 30% of women to over 45% of men. People who snore can have any body type. In general, as people get older and as they gain weight, snoring will worsen. Snoring can be caused by a number of things, including the sleep position, alcohol, medication, anatomical structure of the mouth and throat, stage of sleep, and mouth breathing.
-
Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
- Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the symptoms, which symptoms one wishes to relieve, and the active ingredients in the OTC product. Taking products that only contain the medications needed for relieving your symptoms prevents ingestion of unnecessary medications and reduces the chances of side effects.
-
Adenovirus 14
- Adenovirus infection, particularly Ad14, or the "killer cold virus" has been on the increase in the past two years. Symptoms range from those experienced with colds, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, pinkeye, fever, bladder infection, and neurological conditions. Diagnosis and treatment options need to be discussed with your physician.
-
Bad Breath
- Bad breath can result from poor oral hygien habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be made worse by the types of food you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
-
Reye's Syndrome
- Reye's syndrome (RS, or Reye syndrome) is a sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain with degeneration of the liver. Reye syndrome occurs in children and comes after the chickenpox or an influenza-type illness, is also associated with taking medications containing aspirin. Symptoms include vomiting, listlessness, irritability or combativeness, confusion, delirium, delusions, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Treatment depends on early diagnosis and focuses on protecting the brain against irreversible damage by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs, and anticipating cardiac arrest.
-
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms include fever and nasal congestion and discharge. Treatment focuses on supportive care.
-
Children's Health
- Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
-
Headaches in Children
- Kids get headaches and migraines too. Many adults with headaches started having them as kids, in fact, 20% of adult headache sufferers say their headaches started before age 10, and 50% report their headaches started before age 20.
-
Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds
- If you have a COPD such as emphysema, avoiding chronic bronchitis and colds is important to avoid a more severe respiratory infection such as pneumonia. Avoiding cigarette smoking, practice good hygeine, stay away from crowds, and alerting your healthcare provider if you have a sinus infection or cold or cough that becomes worse. Treatment options depend upon the severity of the emphysema, bronchitis, or cold combination.
-
Health and the Workplace
- Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
-
Headache
-
Medications
137 articles -
Procedures & Tests
0 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
6 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
20 articles -
Health News
24 articles -
Health Features
24 articles
