Paper Sample on Common Cold: Causes, Prevention & Impact

Introduction

The common cold is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory system. Many different viruses cause the illness. A common cold is a contagious disease, and it is spread through touching infected surfaces and air droplets from sneezing. According to the Center for disease control (CDC), the body builds up resistance against these viruses. A common cold is the reason why many people miss work or schools. For example, in the United States, millions of cases of the common cold are reported. Children are prone to acquiring the disease compared to adults who can experience it 2-3 times per year (CDC, 2019).

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Observation

Common cold can be diagnosed through signs and symptoms. The symptoms show up three days after touching the infected surfaces. Common cold symptoms are sore throat, coughing, headaches, body aches, sneezing, and running nose. People can protect themselves from contracting the common cold virus. These viruses may spread when you shake hands with infected people (Mayoclinic, 2019). To reduce the risk of contracting infections, you can regularly wash your hands after getting into contact with infected people. Another way is to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Also, you can stay away from infected people because it can cause transmitting the virus. The sick people can also protect others from contracting the disease by sneezing in a tissue paper and avoid close contact such as kissing.

Many people have different varying opinions concerning a common cold. For instance, patients are unable to distinguish common cold and flu. The symptoms of a common cold are similar to flu symptoms, and it is not easy to differentiate them. Both are respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. Flu is usually worse than a cold it causes complications that require a physician. Many people who might have suffered from the common cold have made past mistakes concerning the illness. One mistake people make is refusing to visit a physician during the early stages of its symptoms. People should visit a physician early enough to get treatment. Some people pretend that they are not sick, therefore making the symptoms worse.

Test Ideas of the Hypothesis

The hypothesis can be tested through observation and laboratory tests. Observation can be conducted by analyzing the respiratory tracts of patients suffering from a common cold. Researchers can carry out a laboratory test to determine why the viruses attack the respiratory system.

Designing an Experiment

The first experiment is to study how common cold is transmitted. A cold is a bacterium that affects the upper respiratory system. This means that it can affect the nose and throat. The experiment will be able to identify the viruses that cause the common cold. More than 200 types of infections cause a common cold. These viruses are respiratory syncytial, influenza, and parainfluenza (Mayoclinic, 2019). The second experiment will study ways of contracting and spreading common cold disease. Common cold can be spread through touching infected surfaces. The virus enters the body through the nostrils, eyes, or mouth, for example, when a person coughs. It can be spread through shaking hands with an infected person. The third experiment is to study how common cold can be treated or prevented. The scientist has not yet developed a cure for the common cold. Antibiotics can be used to relieve pain, such as throat and headache. It can be prevented by disinfecting surfaces such as the bathroom and kitchen when someone is suffering from the cold.

Conclusion

The data collected concerning common cold support the hypothesis; therefore, it does not require any modification. A common cold is a respiratory disease. This is the reason why the virus affects the respiratory system alone. The illness cannot be treated, but antibiotics can be used to relieve pain in the body. A human body builds up immunity after suffering from the disease. The signs and symptoms of a common cold are similar to those of flu, and they can only be distinguished by medical personnel.

References

CDC.(2019). Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others Retrieved From https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html

Mayoclinic.(2019).Common Cold Symptoms.Retrieved From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605