What causes a cold?

Although many different viruses can cause a cold, rhinoviruses are the most common. A cold virus enters your body through your mouth, eyes or nose, usually when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks (the virus can spread through droplets in the air). You can also catch a cold by touching contaminated objects and surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

What are the symptoms of a cold, and how long until they appear?

You’ll know you have a cold if you’re suffering from a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches and body aches. Usually a sore throat is the first symptom to show up, followed by a runny nose. Sometimes a common cold can cause other symptoms like a mild fever and aching joints. Once you contract a cold virus, it can take a few days for symptoms to develop.

How long does a cold last?

For adults, a common cold will usually clear up on its own within about 7 to 10 days. If you have a cough, it may take you a little longer to recover. Adults need about 18 days to completely recover from a cough while kids may require a good three weeks.

How can I prevent a cold?

The best way to prevent a cold is to avoid touching your face. The reason? Cold viruses travel through small liquid drops when someone with a cold sneezes or coughs. These particles can land on surfaces like doorknobs and computer keyboards and spread to your hands when you touch them. If you then touch your face, the virus has a good chance of entering your eyes, nose or mouth. You should also avoid sharing drinking cups or tissues with anyone who has a cold. It’s also a good idea to frequently wash your hands with soap and water to keep from catching a cold. Scrub them for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Is a cold contagious?

According to the American Lung Association, colds are highly contagious. Viruses live on all surfaces touched by humans. Cold viruses will not cause a cold when on a person’s skin (i.e., when a person touches a surface with cold viruses on it). However, if a person then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth, the cold virus will then enter the respiratory tract. Cold viruses also travel through airborne droplets created when an infected person sneezes or coughs. , These droplets can then be inhaled by another person, who can become infected.