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The common cold or the cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx. [6][8] Signs and symptoms may appear in as little as two days after exposure to the virus. [6]
The common cold is an illness affecting your nose and throat. Most often, it's harmless, but it might not feel that way. Germs called viruses cause a common cold. Often, adults may have two or three colds each year. Infants and young children may have colds more often.
The common cold[1] is caused by viruses. It spreads easily, so it is very infectious. The symptoms are mostly in the upper respiratory system. Its damage is mostly felt in the nose and throat. The symptoms include coughs, painful throat, runny nose and fever.
Overview. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (also called an upper respiratory infection or URI). Colds usually last less than a week and are caused by different respiratory viruses. They are also one of the most frequent reasons for missed school and work.
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION. Get the full details. What is the common cold? |. What causes a cold? |. What are the symptoms of a cold? |. How can doctors tell if I have a cold? |. How are colds treated? |. How can I prevent colds? What is the common cold? The common cold is a viral infection. It's one of the most common illnesses people get.
The common cold leads to more healthcare provider visits and absences from school and work than any other illness each year. It is caused by any one of several viruses and is easily spread to others. It’s not caused by cold weather or getting wet.
What Is a Cold? Colds are typically minor infections of the nose and throat (upper respiratory tract) caused by more than 200 different respiratory viruses. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of colds in the U.S. Parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, human metapneumovirus and common human coronaviruses also cause colds.
common cold, acute viral infection that starts in the upper respiratory tract, sometimes spreads to the lower respiratory structures, and may cause secondary infections in the eyes or middle ears. More than 200 agents can cause symptoms of the common cold, including parainfluenza, influenza, respiratory syncytial viruses, and reoviruses.
Key Points. The common cold is an acute, usually afebrile, self-limited viral infection causing upper respiratory symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, cough, and sore throat. The majority of cases are caused by rhinoviruses, but some are caused by coronaviruses, influenza viruses, or other viruses. Diagnosis is clinical.
Rhinovirus is the most common viral infectious agent in humans and is the predominant cause of the common cold. The three species of rhinovirus (A, B, and C) include at least 165 recognized types that differ according to their surface antigens or genetics. [1]