The common cold is a usually mild viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
The common cold can be caused by many different viruses, with rhinoviruses among the most common causes. Typical symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and sometimes mild fever or general discomfort.
Most colds improve on their own without specific antiviral treatment. Antibiotics do not treat the viruses that cause the common cold, although a bacterial infection can occasionally develop as a complication.
QUICK FACT
There is no single “common cold virus.” Many different viruses can cause illnesses that are classified as the common cold.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Influenza — Influenza is caused specifically by influenza viruses and tends to cause more abrupt and pronounced systemic symptoms, although symptoms can overlap considerably.
SEE ALSO
- Viral infection
- Influenza
- Antiviral
- Antibiotic
- Respiratory infection
