Why do you get sick from the cold?

Nurses General Nursing

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Isn't a "cold" from some type of pathogen? Ugh. Last night I went out without a coat in 20 degree weather and now I have a terrible cold starting.

mluvsgnc

178 Posts

Specializes in pediatric.

I believe most colds are viral. Also, I do not think there is any correlation between going out into the cold weather and actually getting a cold. Same with going out into the cold weather with wet hair and getting a cold. Maybe you already had a little something going on and the cold weather physiologically prompted the symptoms (dilated vessels in the nose, dry mucous membranes, etc. can all "help" a virus take advantage of it's host). Snuggle up, drink some tea, and take it easy ;)

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

9 Articles; 4,800 Posts

Colds are viruses, not caused by the cold weather.

Feel better soon!!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

They are viral...not caused by weather. They are more frequent in the colder months due to the fact you have more intimate contact with large groups people that are indoors in confined spaces....than in summer months when time is out doors. It is believed that the lack of humidity and the dryness produced by heating "damages" the moistness of the respiratory tract making you more susceptible to infection. since they are more frequent during the colder months before they knew about pathogens and they were during the cold months....they were called colds.... hence the assumption that the cold caused them. Extreme exposure to dampness and cold can suppress the immune system making one more susceptible to infection.

While it had nothing to do with going out without a coat...it was just going out period that made you susceptible. Last night has nothing to do with you getting a cold today....you picked this up a few days ago probably while you were wearing a coat.;)

Common cold - MayoClinic.com

((HUGS)) feel better.

klone, MSN, RN

14,790 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Are you a nurse or nursing student? If so, you should already know about the pathogen that causes the common cold (usually a rhinovirus), as well as the incubation period of the cold (you probably "caught" your cold about two or three days ago, not last night).

Hope you feel better soon.

pixiestudent2

993 Posts

I'm a student. And I know that the cold is a virus. But it just seems to happen way to often to be a coincidence :/

Oh and I don't think we ever went over something as simple as a cold in nursing school....

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

While it seems that there is a direct correlation.....there isn't. It boils down to "tis the Season!" for cough and colds and your best defense is good hand washing and keep your hands away from your face. Does you school require microbiology and the spread of disease? These are valuable courses when looking at the spread of disease.

Most Viruses have a 3-5 day window of incubation before the inst on symptoms. It is not likely that your coat less escapade led to you feeling poor this morning.

According to Medscape my favoutite resource......http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/227820-clinical

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are members of the Picornaviridae family, which includes the human pathogens enterovirus and hepatovirus (notably, hepatitis A virus). More than 100 different subtypes exist in 3 major groups, categorized according to receptor specificity: intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, and sialoprotein cell receptors.

RV infections are chiefly limited to the upper respiratory tract but may cause otitis media and sinusitis; they may also exacerbate asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and serious lower respiratory tract illness in infants, elderly persons, and immunocompromised persons.[1, 2] Although infections occur year-round, the incidence is highest in the fall and the spring. Of persons exposed to the virus, 70-80% have symptomatic disease. Most cases are mild and self-limited.

It goes on to say.....
RVs are small, nonenveloped, positive (sense) stranded RNA viruses of the Picornaviridae family. More than 100 different serotypes have been identified, categorized into 3 major groups on the basis of specificity for particular receptors: ICAM-1, LDL receptors, and sialoprotein cell receptors. Their structure is an icosahedral capsid of 12 pentamers containing the 4 viral proteins. A deep cleft is involved in viral attachment. Attachment to cellular receptors can be blocked by a specific antibody.

RV grows efficiently only within a limited temperature range (33-35°C), and it cannot tolerate an acidic environment. Thus, it is rarely found outside the nasopharynx, because of the acidic environment of the stomach and the increased temperature in both the lower respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Transmission of RV occurs with close exposure to infected respiratory secretions, including hand-to-hand contact, self-inoculation of eyes or nose, and, possibly, large- and small-particle aerosolization. The virus has been cultured from the skin after up to 2 hours and after up to 4 days on inanimate objects in ideal conditions. Donors are typically symptomatic with a cold at the time of transmission, and virus is detected on the hands and nasal mucosa.

One study assessed the transfer of virus to surfaces by 15 adults with RV infection; each of the 15 stayed overnight in a hotel room, and afterward, 10 commonly touched sites in each room were tested for viral contamination.[9] The investigators determined that RV could be recovered from 35% of these sites and found that the virus could be transferred back from inanimate objects to fingertips in many cases.

Higher rates of transmission occur in humid, crowded conditions such as are found in nurseries, daycare centers, and schools, especially during cooler months in temperate regions and the rainy season in tropical regions. The likelihood of transmission does not appear to be related to exposure to cold temperatures, fatigue, or sleep deprivation.

Common colds are most frequent from September to April in temperate climates. RV infections, which are present throughout the year, account for the initial increase in cold incidence during the fall (causing as many as 80% of colds in this period) and for a second incidence peak at the end of spring. Colds that occur from October through March are caused by the successive appearance of numerous viruses (see the image below). Adenovirus infections occur at a constant rate throughout the season.

Medscape is free but it requires registration if you want to read the entire section of the common cold.

klone, MSN, RN

14,790 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Have you learned anything about incubation periods with illnesses? Have you taken microbiology yet?

OrganizedChaos, LVN

1 Article; 6,883 Posts

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I learn about colds/flus in my nursing program. I'm an LVN & went to a community college.

pixiestudent2

993 Posts

Yes I've taken micro, maybe I've forgotten... Yikes.

I really thought I might of been missing some patho about the cold having and effect. I don't know, I'm feeling a little stupid now haha.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN

1,116 Posts

Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

You dont!!!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Think about microbiology. There is a reason that the majority of organisms need an incubator (warm environment, sometimes warm moist) to grow. Cold actually impedes growth of most microorganisms. If I recall correctly the cold tolerant microbes are generally only found in the coldest areas like the arctic/Antarctic continents not in suburban winter environments.

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