Common Cold & Cough

The common cold and cough are two of the most common illnesses affecting people around the world.

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and sinuses. Symptoms of the common cold include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and body aches.

Coughing is a reflex that helps to clear the airways of mucus and other irritants. A cough can be a symptom of the common cold, as well as other conditions, such as the flu, pneumonia, or bronchitis.

The common cold and cough are usually caused by different types of viruses, but they can also be caused by bacteria. They are easily spread from person to person through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face.

While the common cold and cough are usually not serious, they can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily life. Treatment for a cold or cough typically involves relieving symptoms and letting the infection run its course. Over-the-counter remedies, such as pain relievers, decongestants, and cough syrups, can help to relieve symptoms.

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. However, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, which cause most colds and coughs.

To help prevent the spread of the common cold and cough, it's important to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with others who are sick.

Here are some things you can do during a cold or cough to help relieve your symptoms: