Common Cold in the Human Body

The common cold is a virus that affects a person's upper respiratory tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though common colds are harmless to the human body, a person can suffer miserable symptoms for several days.

Identification

• Thirty to 35 percent of all colds stem from rhinoviruses. There are over 100 different known types of rhinoviruses. But colds can be caused by up to 200 different types of viruses.

Significance

• People suffer from over one billion colds in the U.S. each year, according to Medlineplus.com. Colds are the primary reason adults miss work and children miss school days. Adults average about two or four colds per year, while children, especially preschoolers, can get up to 10 colds each year.

Causes

• A person catches a cold from other individuals. The cold virus is usually spread by droplets in the air that enter a person's nose or mouth after someone coughs or sneezes. A person can also get a cold through hand contact or sharing objects, then touching her eyes, nose or mouth.

Effects

• Cold symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, lethargy and even a fever, according to the Mayo Clinic. Colds can last from two days to two weeks.

Treatments

• While there is no immediate cure for the common cold, people can take pain relievers, cough medicine and decongestants for temporary relief. However, over-the-counter cough and cold medications should not be given to young children under the age of four.