Written by Ashima Seth
Cold is perhaps the most common illness, with more than one billion cases reported annually in the United States alone [1]. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, causing great discomfort in the nose and throat [2]. The symptoms of this illness appear approximately two to three days after exposure to the virus, which is most commonly the rhinovirus. This virus causes over fifty percent of common colds. The symptoms of the common cold are alien to no one, generally starting off with a sore throat and then proceeding through a variety of symptoms in no particular order: coughing, runny or stuffy nose, head and body aches, congestion and sneezing, and the occasional loss of hearing. Running a low-grade fever under these conditions is usually considered a good sign, as it signals that the body’s immune system is responding to fight the viral infection [3].
Although almost everyone catches a cold every now and then, several factors may cause certain people to have an increased susceptibility to this illness. Age, for example, poses a risk factor to children and elders for catching a cold. While the former are more susceptible to illness because they are still in the process of developing better immune responses to their surroundings, the latter have a compromised immune system as immunity weakens with age. Similarly, those suffering from or having recently suffered a chronic illness also have compromised immune systems and are thus more susceptible to the common cold. Another common risk factor is the time of year. Catching a common cold is typically associated with the fall or winter season, the reason being that the influenza virus is more stable and viable in low temperatures and low humidity [4]. Greater exposure to crowded areas is also a factor that increases susceptibility to the common cold, since the illness spreads via person-to-person contact.
As with most viral infections, the common cold cannot be cured by antivirals because viruses invade and hide inside the host’s cells. However, antivirals are still commonly used as an attempt to relieve symptoms of the cold such as coughing, headaches, and body aches. The practice of using antivirals is now being actively discouraged and overturned in cases of mild illness. However, persons belonging to high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and those with chronic illness, are sometimes prescribed antivirals [5]. In cases of mild illness, it is recommended to use the following methods to relieve symptoms of the common cold: gargling with warm water and salt for sore throats, utilizing steam inhalation for congestion, and applying eucalyptus balm to nostrils for a stuffy nose. The best and most effective cure, however, remains the age-old suggestion to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
On the public scale, preventative measures for the flu may be implemented through various policies, the most vital of these being annual flu shots. Other measures such as avoiding exposure to cold surroundings and crowded areas, and washing hands after contact with public fixtures (for instance: water fountains, sinks, etc.) would also help to prevent catching a cold. However, in the case that one does catch a cold, it is important to contain such a contagious illness by avoiding contact with others, discarding soiled tissues, and maintaining good hygiene.
References:
1. “Common Cold | Viral Infection ” MedlinePlus.
2. “Common Cold.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 Aug. 2017,
3. Kluger, M.J.,1986. Is fever beneficial? Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine. 59(2): 89–95
4. Lowen, A.C., Mubareka, S., Steel, J., Palese, P. 2007. Influenza Virus Transmission Is Dependent on Relative Humidity and Temperature. PLOS. 3(10): e151
5. “Influenza (Flu).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Feb. 2017,