Common Cold

The cold, common - A common viral infection that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nose and throat.

Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, headache, and cough. The symptoms of a common cold usually intensify over 24–48 hours, unlike those of influenza, which worsen rapidly over a few hours.

There are at least 200 highly contagious viruses that are known to cause the common cold. These viruses are easily transmitted in the minute airborne drolets sprayed from the coughs or sneezes of infected people.

In many cases, the viruses are also spread to the nose and throat by way of hand-to-hand contact with an infected person or by way of objects that have becom contaminated with the virus.

Most colds clear up within about a week. In some cases, infection spreads and causes laryngitis, tracheitis, acute bronchitis, sinusitis, or otitis media. In these cases, a more serious secondary bacterial infection may follow. Antibiotic drugs may be needed if this happens.