Difference between common cold and chest infection
A common cold is generally a viral disease that affects the upper respiratory tract infection. Generally, a person is infected with cold or flu first, followed by a chest infection if it has a strong potential to become chronic. On the other hand, chest infection is a respiratory condition that affects the lower respiratory tract and the bronchial tubes. Chest infection can be caused by viruses or even bacteria. Chest infection means inflammation of the airways (tubes) that transport air to the lungs. During winters, as the temperature drops, the bacteria-fighting cells in the nostrils get damaged.
Here’s what the expert says
Dr Randeep Guleria, Chairman – Institute of Internal Medicine and Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta, says “There are two types of chest infection – Bronchitis and Pneumonia. While Bronchitis only affects the bronchial tube that carries air to lungs, Pneumonia can go deeper and affect the lung tissues. Moreover, most of the Bronchitis cases are due to viruses, Pneumonia cases can be due to viruses, bacteria or fungi. Generally, Pneumonia symptoms are more severe in nature than Bronchitis.”
Symptoms of common cold
In terms of symptoms, both chest infection and common cold can present similar symptoms like slight fever, body ache, cough and weakness. However, there are symptoms that are peculiar to chest infection like difficulty in breathing, congested chest, feeling of heaviness in chest etc.
There are few symptoms that are peculiar to common cold and not experienced in a chest infection. A person with a common cold will experience sneezing, runny or stuffy nose and watery eyes due to the infection in the upper respiratory tract. However, a person with a common cold may not experience cough, since cold majorly affects the upper respiratory tract. Common cold may last for 6-7 days depending on the individual’s immunity.Symptoms of chest infection:
Also, in most of the cases, cough is one of the common symptoms associated with chest infection, since the infection causes swelling in the bronchial tubes. However, chest infections can be quite irritating and painful. Since it affects the lower respiratory tract, many people may experience lingering symptoms for more than two weeks as it takes time for mucus to clear out completely from the nasal passage.
Treatment
There is no medical treatment for chest infection and cold. Also, one should avoid taking antibiotics- as they may not work in most of the viral infections. In both cases, it is advisable to take plenty of rest, drink warm fluids like soups, warm water etc and avoid caffeine and take steam from a hot water bowl. If one is looking for instant relief from symptoms, then one can opt for nasal sprays that will temporarily relieve breathing issues and blocked nose. Use of Humidifier can also help loosen up the mucus and maintain a warm temperature for the body. One should speak to their family doctor for a seasonal flu vaccine.
Preventing chest infection and a common cold
Dr. Guleria says, “Respiratory droplets from one individual to another while speaking and coming in contact with contaminated surfaces can spread the viral infection. After coming in contact with such surfaces, when one touches their face, nose or mouth, they can get infected.”
Hence, here are some tips to prevent chest infection:
- Wash hands frequently, especially before meals and before touching one’s mouth or face. This will enable good immune system and will prevent bacteria/ virus entering the body
- If someone is ill at home, maintain social distancing from the person. Also, the person should sneeze or cough with their mouth covered. This will prevent spread of infection through respiratory droplets in the air
- Healthy balanced diet is crucial to strengthen the immune system of an individual and fight off viruses effectively.