Cough and cold

Common cold facts

• The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by many different viruses.
• The common cold is transmitted by virus-infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions.
• Symptoms of the common cold include
  • cough,
  • sore throat,
  • coughing,
  • sneezing, and
  • a runny nose.
• Being in cold weather does not cause the common cold, but cold weather promotes close contact.
• Over-the-counter medications may be used for treatment of the common cold.
• Antibiotics are not necessary for the common cold.
• The common cold is a self-limited disease that can generally be managed at home.
• The common cold has no cure, and there is no available vaccine.