Question
Question: How common colds differ from pneumonia?...
How common colds differ from pneumonia?
Solution
Common cold and pneumonia are infectious diseases with similarities in their symptoms. Both of the diseases spread from person to person and affect the respiratory system. Breathing disorders, sneezing, cough and cold are common symptoms associated with the two of them. The two differ in their specific symptoms and the causal organisms.
Complete solution:
Some points of difference between pneumonia and common cold are as follows:
A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) causes the common cold, whereas pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lower respiratory tract including the lung that predominantly affects the tiny air sacs known as alveoli. Infection with viruses or bacteria, as well as other microbes, is the most prevalent cause of pneumonia.
The causal organism of common cold is the Rhinovirus whereas Pneumonia is caused by Klebsiella , Streptococcus , Coronavirus, SARS CoV, MERS etc.
Cough, chest discomfort, fever, and difficulty breathing are all common symptoms of pneumonia and common cold.
Common cold is a recurrent disease which recurs after each season due to short immune memory for it whereas it is not the case for pneumonia.
Common cold is an acute infection whereas pneumonia is an acute or chronic infection.
The treatment for common cold is antiviral drugs while for pneumonia the treatment varies with the causal organism. Furthermore, a vaccine exists for pneumonia.
Note:
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed. Cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and trouble breathing can occur when the air sacs fill with fluid or pus (purulent material). Pneumonia can be caused by a number of species, including bacteria, viruses, and fungus. It is a more serious health risk when compared to the common cold.