Myth: Bacteria Causes the Common Cold
Many people still think that bacteria causes the common cold and this is probably the reason that people still visit the doctor asking for antibiotics.
Actually, people with the common cold have a viral infection of the upper respiratory system.
With the common cold, symptoms are confined to areas above the neck.
Sometimes coughing occurs as a result of post-nasal drip, that is drainage from the nose into the throat, and sore or irritated throat can be present as well.
But the lungs are not involved in this viral infection, unless complications occur.
The belief that bacteria causes the common cold may stem from the fact that people with the common cold have symptoms that are similar to the symptoms experienced by a person with a sinus infection.
Pain in the face, forehead or teeth will typically accompany a sinus infection, but not a cold.
Antibiotics are effective for treating sinus infection, but not viral infections, like the common cold.
While both are microscopic organisms, bacteria and viruses are quite different.
Bacteria are believed to be the first life forms on earth.
It is unclear how long viruses have been around, but many scientists do not even consider them a life form, because they are not made up of cells.
They infect cells and require cells to replicate.
Some viruses, called bacteriophages, infect bacteria.
Bacteria reproduce through cell division, viruses do not have cells; they require the cells of another organism in order to make copies of themselves.
Antibiotics can kill bacteria, although some bacteria have become antibiotic resistant, possibly due to misuse of antibiotics in people with the common cold and other viral infections.
Myths like "bacteria causes the common cold" lead to improper self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
Even prevention is threatened by belief in these myths.
For example, anti-bacterial hand soaps are relied upon by some people to prevent the spread of viruses.
While the act of hand washing and rinsing with warm water removes viruses from the skin, the anti-bacterial products have no effect on them.
In addition, doctors may be inclined to give patients with the common cold a prescription for antibiotics, just because the patient thinks it will help.
Actually, people with the common cold have a viral infection of the upper respiratory system.
With the common cold, symptoms are confined to areas above the neck.
Sometimes coughing occurs as a result of post-nasal drip, that is drainage from the nose into the throat, and sore or irritated throat can be present as well.
But the lungs are not involved in this viral infection, unless complications occur.
The belief that bacteria causes the common cold may stem from the fact that people with the common cold have symptoms that are similar to the symptoms experienced by a person with a sinus infection.
Pain in the face, forehead or teeth will typically accompany a sinus infection, but not a cold.
Antibiotics are effective for treating sinus infection, but not viral infections, like the common cold.
While both are microscopic organisms, bacteria and viruses are quite different.
Bacteria are believed to be the first life forms on earth.
It is unclear how long viruses have been around, but many scientists do not even consider them a life form, because they are not made up of cells.
They infect cells and require cells to replicate.
Some viruses, called bacteriophages, infect bacteria.
Bacteria reproduce through cell division, viruses do not have cells; they require the cells of another organism in order to make copies of themselves.
Antibiotics can kill bacteria, although some bacteria have become antibiotic resistant, possibly due to misuse of antibiotics in people with the common cold and other viral infections.
Myths like "bacteria causes the common cold" lead to improper self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
Even prevention is threatened by belief in these myths.
For example, anti-bacterial hand soaps are relied upon by some people to prevent the spread of viruses.
While the act of hand washing and rinsing with warm water removes viruses from the skin, the anti-bacterial products have no effect on them.
In addition, doctors may be inclined to give patients with the common cold a prescription for antibiotics, just because the patient thinks it will help.
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