Common cold

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications

Preparing for your appointment
Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine
Prevention

Definition

The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. If it's not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the above. In fact, because any one of more than 200 viruses can cause a common cold, symptoms tend to vary greatly.

Most adults are likely to have a common cold two to four times a year. Children, especially preschoolers, may have a common cold as many as six to 10 times annually.

Most people recover from a common cold in about a week or two. If symptoms don't improve, see your doctor.

Symptoms