What is Common Cold - Understanding What is a Cold?

There is hardly any person who has never caught common cold in his/her life time. Every one catches it at some time or the other. Let us review what is a cold and how it affects us before we discuss its remedies.

It is estimated that People in the United States suffer 1 billion colds each year. Statistics are staggering. It is a leading cause of missed days from school and work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22 million school days are lost annually due to the condition in the United States.

So what is common cold?

A cold is a mild but contagious viral disease that usually infects the soft lining (mucous membrane) of the nose. The infection affects the upper respiratory tract including throat, sinuses (small spaces in the skull behind the eyes and nose), trachea (the main airway that goes to the lungs) and larynx (voice box). It also affects bronchial tubes (the airways in the lungs). It normally induces sneezing and feeling of scratchy throat and runny nose. .

There are more than 200 different viruses which can result in a cold. In most cases it is a mild condition. Recovery takes place within about a week to ten days. Illnesses like influenza can easily be confused with it as most of the symptoms of it are same as common cold.

It is most common to get cold during the winter months. It affects children and adults of all ages. Most people will catch a cold two to four times a year. Most children will catch it at least twice as many times as adults.

Children catch it more often because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. Young women aged 20 to 30 years also get more colds than men because of their closer contact with children.

Get more information on causes,symptoms, methods of preventing and home remedies for common cold in the other related articles:

What is Common Cold - Understanding What is a Cold?

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