More than 200 viruses cause what's known as the common cold, including coronaviruses and rhinoviruses, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Though the cause might be varied, the effects, symptoms and treatment remain the same. Knowing the basic facts of the common cold can help you understand what to expect and how best to recover.
Prevalence
Every year, Americans fall victim to approximately 1 billion cases of the common cold, reports the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For children, this causes approximately 22 million missed days of school every year. The Mayo Clinic estimates that most adults get the cold two to four time annually.
Symptoms
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists common symptoms as including a low fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or less, general fatigue, a headache, a sore throat, coughing and nasal congestion.
Duration
Symptoms of the cold begin kicking in within three days of contracting the virus, according to the National Institutes of Health. It usually begins with throat discomfort and an irritated nose, with nasal congestion kicking in within a few hours. The symptoms typically go away within one to two weeks.
Transmission
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases report that the virus is often contracted by you touching a contaminated surface then touching your face. It can also sometimes be contracted by breathing in water droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Remedies
Several remedies can help alleviate the symptoms of the common cold and hasten your recovery, according to the Mayo Clinic doctors. This includes gargling salt water to soothe your throat, staying hydrated by drinking lots of juice or water, and taking over-the-counter antihistamines or cold medications. Antibiotics, however, don't work because viruses cause colds.
