The Common Cold: Just How Common is it?
Published: 16 March 2023
Published: 16 March 2023
As its name suggests, the common cold (or upper respiratory tract infection) is a highly prevalent infection that can be caused by over 200 types of viruses. It affects the nose, ears and throat (Healthy WA 2018).
Most cold-causing viruses belong to either the coronavirus or rhinovirus families. As there are so many viruses that can cause a cold, it’s possible to have one cold after another from unrelated strains (Healthdirect 2022).
At this stage, it’s not considered possible to be vaccinated against colds due to the number of viruses that can cause them (Simancas-Racines et al. 2017).
The common cold is considered the most common contagious disease in Australia, the most common reason for being absent from school or work, and the most common reason for seeing a general practitioner (Lung Foundation Australia 2022).
Adults will often catch 2 to 4 colds per year, while children may get as many as 5 to 10, as they lack immunity to many of viruses that cause colds (Healthdirect 2022).
Colds spread through droplets in the air from sneezing, coughing or talking, which enter the body through the eyes, mouth or nose. These droplets may also contaminate objects and surfaces (Mayo Clinic 2021).
Cold-casuing viruses can live on hands and surfaces for as long as 24 hours (NHS 2021).
Generally, an individual is contagious from one day before symptoms present and for the first five days of the illness (SA Health 2022).
The following factors may increase the risk of getting a cold:
(SA Health 2022; Mayo Clinic 2021; Lung Foundation Australia 2022)
The onset of symptoms is generally one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Depending on the individual and the virus, people may experience a combination of the following symptoms:
(Mayo Clinic 2021; Better Health Channel 2022; SA Health 2022)
Thick, yellow or green nasal discharge is common as a cold progresses (Mayo Clinic 2021).
Colds are often confused with influenza (‘the flu’), however, they are different illnesses caused by different viruses (Healthdirect 2022):
(NHS 2021)
There is no cure or specific treatment for a cold, but symptoms may be managed with the following strategies:
(NHS 2021; Better Health Channel 2022)
Antibiotics should not be used for colds as they are only effective against bacterial infections (NHS 2021).
Colds are generally not serious and will resolve on their own within a week to 10 days (Mayo Clinic 2021).
It’s difficult to avoid getting a cold, but the best way to reduce the risk is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practising effective hand hygiene (Lung Foundation 2022).
Those who have a cold should try to avoid spreading it to others by:
(NHS 2021; SA Health 2022)
Question 1 of 3
How many colds does an average adult get every year?