Common Cold Facts

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), 1 billion cases of the common cold occur in the United States each year. Students miss 21 million school days each year because of the common cold, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, children have six to 10 colds per year and adults have two to four colds per year.

Cold Season

Cold season generally occurs during the fall and winter months in the United States, according to the NIAID. Cold season generally ends in the United States around March or April.

Causes

According to the NIAID, there are more than 200 different viruses that can cause common cold symptoms. Some of these viruses include rhinovirus, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. Contrary to popular belief, cold weather and rain have no effect on whether or not a person gets the common cold.

Symptoms

According to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, symptoms of the common cold include sneezing, coughing, redness of the eyes, irritability, sore throat, swollen glands, runny nose, decreased appetite and a slight fever.

Risk Factors

According to the University of Virginia Health System, more children have colds each year than adults. Children's immune systems are not as mature as adult immune systems, which makes it more difficult for them to fight off viruses and bacteria. Children are also more likely to get the common cold because of close contact with other children in daycare or school.

Treatment

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the best treatment for the common cold is lots of sleep and drinking fluids. Cold medicine won't necessarily get rid of your cold, but it may relieve some of the symptoms. Medical experts are against giving children under age 6 any cold medicine or cough drops with drugs in them. Chicken soup can help with the common cold because of the fluid, heat and salt it contains.

Prevention

According to Stanford University, the common cold can be prevented by reducing stress, not touching your hands to your face without washing them, keeping nasal passages clear, not sharing drinks and avoiding public drinking fountains. Disinfectant wash can also be used to help prevent the common cold by killing bacteria that may exist on your hands.

References

• National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• University of Virginia Health System

Resources

• University of Maryland Medical Center
• University of Stanford
• Columbia University