The most obvious characteristic of a common cold is that it is common: colds, or upper respiratory tract infections, are the commonest cause of illness in children and adults. Children can get about six to 10 colds a year and adults get, on average, two to four colds a year, usually in the winter months.
Apart from that fact, and despite endless research, no one really knows how to prevent or cure the common cold. No one is really even sure why colds are more likely in winter: it may be because people are in closer contact with each other because they stay indoors and so are more likely to pass on infection.
While you can’t cure your cold, you can do some very simple things to lessen the effects of the symptoms caused by this familiar, miserable winter guest. If you’re generally healthy, once you have a cold, you know for sure that it will be over within a week. The infection develops into an illness over a few days. It usually starts with an itchy, sore throat, and is quickly followed by a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat or a headache. Some people also have a mild fever, and general aches and pains.
Then, even if you take absolutely no medication at all, after a week to 10 days, it is all over. You’re highly contagious a day or two before the start of symptoms and for an average of seven to 10 days altogether. As the cold progresses, contagiousness gradually decreases.
When you have a cold, you can have one or many of these symptoms:
- stuffy or runny nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- cough
- headache
- red eyes
- swelling of lymph glands
- fever (occasionally)
- often there will be loss of appetite, and sometimes nausea and some vomiting.
Five myths about colds
Myth 1 – you don't catch a cold from getting physically cold. In fact, colds may be more likely in colder temperatures.
Myth 2 – being stressed or very tired can make you vulnerable to catching a cold. In fact, you can catch a cold at any time, but being in good health, eating well, staying active and getting regular sleep helps you strengthen your defence against the cold infection.
Myth 3 – you catch cold when someone who has a cold coughs or sneezes the virus out into the air, and you breathe it in. In fact, colds are mostly spread by hands coming into contact with the virus, then touching the nose, mouth or eyes.
Myth 4 – yellow-green nasal discharge or phlegm indicate a bacterial infection and antibiotics are needed. In fact, coloured mucus can indicate either a viral or a bacterial infection.
Myth 5 - milk should be eliminated with a cough or cold. In fact, avoiding milk is only necessary if a milk allergy is suspected.
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