Interactive tools

 

Risk Factors for Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) - HealthLibrary

Print PDF | Print | Search | Send-to-Friend | Health Information home page |

• Main Page • Risk Factors • Symptoms • Diagnosis • Treatment • Screening • Reducing Your Risk • Talking to Your Doctor • Resource Guide

Risk Factors for Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza)

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)
 

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop a cold or influenza with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing a cold or influenza. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

The vast majority of the population in any given area may get colds or influenza during the course of a year. The average rate for adults in the US is three or four infections per person per year. Children get even more.

Risk factors include:

Smoking

Smoking greatly increases the frequency of colds in adults. Smokers are also at a higher risk for complications from colds and the flu.

Poor Hygiene

Colds and influenza are passed through person-to-person contact, so people who do not wash their hands are at higher risk of spreading and contracting colds or influenza. Also, touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with contaminated fingers can spread germs to yourself.

Crowded Populations

People in crowded living conditions are at an increased risk, as well.

Medical Conditions

People who have certain medical conditions are at a higher risk for complications. Examples include:

  • People who are sick
  • People who have cardiac, respiratory, or kidney disease
  • People who have suppressed immune systems
  • Women who are pregnant

Age

Children and the elderly are at increased risk for complications.

Disability

People with physical or mental disabilities may have trouble practicing preventive measures, and they may not be able to easily communicate their symptoms. These issues place them at an increased risk for getting sick and for complications.

Stress and Other Mental Health Factors

You may be at an increased risk for contracting a cold if you are under a lot of stress or if you feel anxious or depressed.

REFERENCES::

Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons; 1999.

Facts and Comparisons. Drug Facts and Comparisons. 56th ed. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer; 2001.

Fauci AS, Braunwald E, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2000.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated November 19, 2009. Accessed November 20, 2009.

3/5/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us : Falagas ME, Karamanidou C, Kastoris AC, Karlis G, Rafailidis PI. Psychosocial factors and susceptibility to or outcome of acute respiratory tract infections. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2010;14(2):141-148.

• Previous • Next

 


Last reviewed October 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Last Updated: 10/11/2012

[ Aurora clinical research ]