A runny nose, sore throat and constant cough are all symptoms of the common cold, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The Mayo Clinic explains that most adults will suffer from this infection two to four times a year, while children suffer from it as much as six to 10 times annually. Knowing the risk factors of the common cold may help reduce these statistics.
Age
Age plays a large role in a person's risk of getting the common cold. For instance children, especially those in preschool, are more susceptible than adults to colds because they haven't built a resistance to the viruses that cause them, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition, they spend a lot of time around other children and aren't as mindful when it comes to washing their hands or covering their mouths when they sneeze or cough, all means of spreading the virus.
The New York Times Health Guide states that elderly persons have weaker immune systems, which places them at greater risk for respiratory infections than young and middle-aged adults.
Weak Immune Systems
The older a person becomes, the stronger their immune system becomes, thus developing immunity against the viruses responsible for the common cold. In many cases, this means fewer colds as an adult than as a child. People with a weak immune system are more susceptible to colds, such as those with the HIV virus.
Smoke and Pollutants
People who smoke cigarettes, or who face exposure to environmental pollutants such as industrial smoke and toxic smoke, have an increased risk of developing the common cold. All of these factors can injure and damage the tiny hair-like structures in the nose that keep the airways clear. Parents who smoke also increase their children's risk of developing an upper respiratory infection.
Stress
The New York Times Health Guide states that people under stress may have a greater susceptibility to the common cold versus people with normal stress levels. Regardless of any other risk factors a person may have, stress appears to increase a person's chances of developing a cold, and in addition, it may make the symptoms of a cold worse.
Seasonal Factors
Whether it be a child or adult, both are more likely to develop the common cold in the fall or winter as the Mayo Clinic explains. Colds occur primarily in the fall and winter, times when people are indoors more and are exposed to airborne viruses. The dry weather in the winter is responsible for dry nasal passages, which also increases susceptibility to the cold viruses.
