Common Cold - Description

Colds are sometimes called rhinovirus or coronavirus (pronounced kuh-RO-nuh-vie-russ) infections. They are the most common infections to affect any part of the body. Experts estimate that the average person has more than fifty colds during a lifetime. Anyone can catch a cold. The disease is most common, however, among children. Repeated exposure to the viruses that cause colds helps to prevent against future occurrences of the disease.

An individual who has a cold usually recovers without special treatment. Still, colds are the leading cause of visits to doctors and of time lost from work and school. Americans spend millions of dollars each year for over-the-counter medications designed to treat cold symptoms.

Cold season in the United States begins in early fall and extends through early spring. Some people think, incorrectly, that becoming cold or wet can cause a cold. Only exposure to a cold virus can bring on the disease. Some factors can, however, increase the likelihood of catching a cold. These include:

• Fatigue and overwork
• Emotional stress
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Living or working in crowded conditions

Colds make the upper respiratory system less resistant to bacterial infections. Some of these infections include middle ear infection, bronchitis (see bronchitis entry), pneumonia (see pneumonia entry), sinus infection, and strep throat (see strep throat entry).