Common cold

Common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. Signs and symptoms may begin less than two days following exposure. They include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People usually recover in seven to ten days. Some symptoms may last up to three weeks. In those with other health problems, pneumonia may occasionally develop.

Well over 200 virus strains are implicated in the cause of the common cold; the rhinoviruses are the most common. They spread through the air, by close contact, and by being picking up the virus from the environment and transferred to the mouth or nose. Risk factors include going to daycare and not sleeping well. Symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves. People with influenza are usually more sick.

There is no vaccine. The primary method of prevention is hand washing, not touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and staying away from sick people. Some evidence supports the use of face masks. No cure for the common cold exists, but the symptoms can be treated.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help with pain.Antibiotics should not be used. Evidence does not support a benefit from cough medicines.