Cold and flu facts
Cause of the common cold.
The common cold is a mild ailment caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. More than 200 distinct cold viruses have been identified. The cold virus enters the nose (nasal passages) by contaminated fingers or by droplets from coughs or sneezes.
The common cold is the most ‘common’ disease in humans.
In general, adults experience 2–4 colds per year, whilst children (depending on age and exposure) may suffer from 5–10 colds per year.
On average, adults inhale approximately 8 litres of air every minute which include numerous air pollutants. With this in mind, it is no surprise that the common cold is the most common ailment in humans.
It is also common for one member of the family who is suffering from a cold to pass it on to other family members. Around 20–70% of family members will become infected within a few days following introduction of a cold virus to the home.