Acute viral nasopharyngitis natural history, complications and prognosis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]
Overview
If left untreated, common cold resolves completely within 7-10 days. Common complications of acute viral nasopharyngitis include sinusitis, otitis media, and exacerbation of reactive airway disease. Prognosis is generally excellent and 50% of patients recover completely within 7 days and 90% of patients recover within 15 days.
Natural History
If left untreated, common cold resolves completely within 7-10 days.[1]
Complications
The majority of common cold bouts pass without complications. However, complications might develop due to swelling of the nasal mucosa which facilitates the infection of the lower respiratory tract or the middle ear mucosa.[2][3]
Otitis media
Common cold may cause obstruction of eustachian tubes and predisposes to otitis media.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is suspected when the symptoms of common cold are prolonged and not responding to treatment.
Pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections
Although rhinovirus is not usually invading the lower respiratory tract mucosa. It may facilitate the invasion of other viruses or bacteria.
Exacerbation of reactive airway disease
Asthma is an established risk factor for developing acute viral nasopharyngitis. Also, rhinovirus has been implicated in inducing attacks of acute asthma.
Prognosis
Prognosis is generally excellent with 50% of patients recover completely within 7 days and 90% of patients recover within 15 days.[1] Complications usually occur in immunocompromised patients or at extremes of age.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Heikkinen T, Järvinen A (2003). "The common cold". Lancet. 361 (9351): 51–9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12162-9. PMID 12517470.
- ↑ Eccles R (2005). "Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza". Lancet Infect Dis. 5 (11): 718–25. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X. PMID 16253889.
- ↑ Fleming DM, Ayres JG (1988). "Diagnosis and patterns of incidence of influenza, influenza-like illness and the common cold in general practice". J R Coll Gen Pract. 38 (309): 159–62. PMC 1711327. PMID 3265157.