The common cold results from one of more than 200 viruses, all of which are impervious to antibiotics. These infections need to run their course, so-to-speak, as the body's immune system seeks to destroy. No cure is available, yet knowing how this infection develops can help prevent it from developing.
Rhinovirus
The most common cold cause in 30 to 35 percent of adults, according to Dr. Arthur Schoenstadt of eMedTV, the rhinovirus tends to occur in early fall, spring and summer. This virus has more than 110 strains--or types--and develops in temperatures of approximately 91 degrees F. This is the temperature inside the nose, the area where this virus usually invades.
Coronavirus
The coronavirus is another common cause of colds in adults. It tends to strike in the winter and early spring. Thirty types of coronaviruses exist, of which only three to four affect humans, as Schoenstadt states.
Unknown
Thirty to 50 percent of all adult colds have no known viral cause, but viruses still seem to be the cause, as Schoenstadt explains. He further explains that the same viruses responsible for for colds in adults are also responsible for colds in children.
In the Air
No matter what virus causes a cold to develop, it is airborne. When a person coughs or sneezes, small amounts of the virus enter the air through droplets. People then breathe this virus in, where it adheres to the membranes of the nose and continues to develop and spread.
Poor Hygiene
Poor personal hygiene is a primary cause of viral cold transmission. The greatest defense a person has from the cold is hand washing. When a person coughs, sneezes or blows their nose and does not wash their hands, the virus affects everything they touch. Once another person touches these objects, such as a doorknob, telephone or utensils, the virus is spread and a cold can soon follow.
