Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose -- everyone knows the first miserable signs of a common cold. But what is a common cold really? What causes you to catch colds frequently while your best friend stays well? And more importantly, how can you prevent getting a cold this season? Here are some common cold basics to help you protect yourself and your family from getting sick.
The common cold is a group of symptoms in the upper respiratory tract caused by a large number of different viruses. Although more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, the perpetrator is usually the rhinovirus, which is to blame for causing 10% to 40% of colds. Also, the coronaviruses cause about 20% of colds and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes 10% of colds.
Although the common cold is usually mild, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. According to the CDC, 22 million school days are lost annually in the U.S. because of the common cold. Some estimates state that Americans suffer 1 billion colds annually.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/understanding-common-cold-basics
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