Common Cold Center - Brookline, MA
Brookline 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 Brookline * Alliance Health Care  Brookline Family Practice  Cathy L VandenHeuvel MD  Children's Hospital Boston Sports Medicine  Boston University Student Health Services  Boston University Student Health Services  Ming Tat Wong MD  Jose Ruano MD  Joseph M Smith Community Health Center  Joseph M Smith Community Health Center  Joseph M Smith Community Health Center  Edna Butaney MD  Stanley Hochberg MD  MGH Back Bay Healthcare Center  Dhirendra S Bana MD  Harvard University Health Services  South End Associates of Fenway  Fenway Community Health Center  Harvard University Health Services  Winter Street Health Center  Winter Street Health Center  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Women's Health Center  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Cambridge Family Health  Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center  Boston Medical Center Family Practice  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Boston Medical Center Family Practice  Boston Medical Center Family Practice  Boston Healthcare for the Homeless  Boston Medical Center Family Practice  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Boston Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  Boston University Center for Infectious Diseases  Union Square Family Health Center  Ackil Medical Associates Inc  Upham's Corner Health Center  Upham's Corner Health Center  Upham's Corner Health Center  Upham's Corner Health Center  Upham's Corner Health Center  Davis Square Family Practice  MGH Palliative Care Center  MGH Vincent OB/Gyn Service  Phuli Cohan MD  Tufts Medical Center Weight & Wellness Center  South Cove Community Health Center  Bowdoin Street Health Center  Family Medicine at Ball Square  Marino Center for Progressive Health  Family Medicine at Ball Square  East Somerville Health Center  East Somerville Health Center  East Somerville Health Center  Family Medicine at Ball Square  Somerville Family Practice  Somerville Family Practice  Pham Medical Associates  David Lundin MD  Michael J Lowney DO  Codman Square Health Center  Codman Square Health Center  Codman Square Health Center  Codman Square Health Center  Codman Square Health Center  Codman Square Health Center  Dorchester House Multi-Service Center  Dorchester House Multi-Service Center  Dorchester House Multi-Service Center  Rothfeld Center for Integrative Medicine  An Thai MD  Barnett Medical Associates  South Boston Community Health Ctr  South Boston Community Health Ctr  South Boston Community Health Ctr  South Boston Community Health Ctr  South Boston Community Health Ctr  South Boston Community Health Ctr  Geiger Gibson Community Health Center  Chinh V Le MD  Caritas Carney Hospital Internal Medicine  Caritas Carney Hospital Internal Medicine  Medford Family Care  Medford Family Care  Caritas Carney Hospital Internal Medicine  Lowney Medical Associates  Caritas Carney Hospital Internal Medicine  Caritas Carney Hospital Internal Medicine  Medford Family Care Brookline, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Brookline
Nearby Brookline Hospitals *Brigham & Women's Hospital Dana Farber Cancer Institute Children's Hospital Boston Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Arbour HRI Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Franciscan Hospital for Children Arbour Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Boston Medical Center M I T Medical Faulkner Hospital Cambridge Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Massachusetts Mental Health Center Bournewood Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Tufts New England Medical Center Massachusetts General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Somerville Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus McLean Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Milton Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Quincy Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Winchester Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Lahey Clinic Medical Center Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center North Shore Medical Center Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital South Shore Hospital Emerson Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore North Shore Children's Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Tewksbury Hospital Beverly Hospital Isham Health Center UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Saints Medical Center Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough HC Solomon Mental Health Center Lowell General Hospital Pembroke Hospital Westborough State Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital 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
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Headache
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Medications
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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