Common Cold: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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What is the common cold?

The common cold is a viral infection . It's one of the most common illnesses people get. Symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, tiredness, and sometimes a mild fever and go away on their own within 4 to 10 days

What causes a common cold?

The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract which can be caused by many different viruses. The most commonly implicated is a rhinovirus (30–80%), a type of picornavirus with 99 known serotypes. Other commonly implicated viruses include adenoviruses, enteroviruses, parainfluenza and RSV.

Where did the common cold come from?

While the cause of the common cold was identified in the 1950s, the disease appears to have been with humanity since its early history. Its symptoms and treatment are described in the Egyptian Ebers papyrus, the oldest existing medical text, written before the 16th century BCE.

What is a common cold?

A cold is a viral infection which affects the nose, ears and throat. There are more than 200 different types of viruses that can cause the common cold. Common cold - over 100 known cold viruses - spread by contact with droplets from the nose of infected people in air or on surfaces and objects.

How do you know if you have a common cold?

The most common cause is a rhinovirus, and the most common symptoms are a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy, sore throat. The first signs of the common cold are fairly obvious: a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy, sore throat. Most people quickly recognize these early symptoms because the common cold is so ordinary.

How often do you get a cold?

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. Adults can experience the common cold between 2 and 4 times a year, and kids can get up to 10 colds a year. Here's how to prevent and treat colds.

Can a cold be a viral infection?

Most people quickly recognize these early symptoms because the common cold is so ordinary. In fact, adults have an average of 2 to 3 colds per year. The common cold is actually a viral infection in your upper respiratory tract. A cold can be caused by more than 200 viruses. The most common are rhinoviruses.

What Is Common Cold

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/cold
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold
5. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds
6. https://www.verywellhealth.com/cold-7152003
7. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/home/quick-facts-infections/respiratory-viruses/common-cold
8. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/understanding-common-cold-basics
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279543/

Common Cold Information

1. https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public+Content/SA+Health+Internet/Conditions/Infectious+Diseases/Common+cold/Common+cold+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention