The Common Cold
(Cold · Common Cold)
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on The Common Cold
A cold – also called infectious rhinitis – is a very common viral infection of the nose and throat. Doctors call it a "self-limiting" condition, which means that it only lasts so long and goes away on its own.
In most people, colds are relatively harmless, but they have important social and economic impact. It is estimated that 40% of time lost from work and 30% of school absences are due to the common cold. Cold symptoms normally improve within 1 week, although some may last longer, especially in children.
There are over 200 different viruses responsible for causing colds. The most common type are the rhinoviruses, which cause about 40% of colds in adults. Colds occur most often from fall to early spring, when people tend to stay indoors – facilitating easy spread of these viruses.
Causes of The Common Cold
Despite its name, colds are not caused by being exposed to the cold. Instead, common colds are infectious, and are passed from one person to another. The average adult gets about 2 to 3 colds per year, most often during the winter. Children may have 8 to 12 colds in a year because their body's defences aren't as developed.
The cold is usually transmitted by coming into contact with hands contaminated with nasal secretions, such as by shaking an infected person's hand and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Sneezing or coughing can also transmit the cold virus in droplets from an infected person's mouth or nose. Since cold viruses can live for several hours on hard surfaces, less commonly you can even get infected by picking up an object, turning a door handle, or answering a phone recently touched by a person with a cold. It then takes hold by being rubbed into the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Symptoms and Complications of The Common Cold
Cold viruses infect the tissues that line the inside of the mouth, throat, and nose. These infected membranes become swollen or inflamed, and cold symptoms begin.
It usually takes anywhere from 1 to 3 days for symptoms to develop. The cold usually runs its course in about 7 to 14 days. Common symptoms include:
- dry, scratchy, or sore throat that usually resolves quickly
- runny nose or congestion
- sneezing triggered by nasal congestion
- slight fever and chills (more common in children than adults)
- coughing, usually dry at first but later can be accompanied by sputum and phlegm
Colds may aggravate the symptoms of other conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease (COPD). Colds can also lead to acute bacterial bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, or ear infections, especially for people with lung disease.
Fatigue, stress, or poor diet and poor health can result in more severe cold symptoms. Seniors especially tend to get more severe cold virus infections.
The cold virus can also infect other parts of the body. For instance, the eye infection known as pinkeye (mild conjunctivitis) can occur. Kids are especially prone to this, since they tend to wipe their noses with their hands and then rub their eyes.
