LiveScience Topics: Common Cold

There's no cure for the common cold. But plenty of remedies claim to relieve symptoms. Most don't work very well, if at all. Decongestants help ease stuffiness, up to a point. You catch a cold when a cold virus infects you. Most adults have two to four colds a year and children can have eight colds annually or more. Cold viruses are transmitted through eyes and noses but rarely leap mouth to mouth. So kiss, but don't rub your eyes, and wash your hands with soap frequently, experts say. This image shows a common cold virus and receptor molecules that enables the virus to attach to and infect host cells. Image credit: Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University

Explore Common Cold

Fighting the Flu: Do Hand Sanitizers Work?

Hand-sanitizer mania has gripped the nation. But fortunately these alcohol-based gels are excellent for preventing the spread of the flu and, although limited, pose littl...
Sick at Work? Go Home!

Those who often go to work feeling sick tend to miss more work due to illness down the road.
Do Children Cause Adults to Get More Colds?

Do grandparents get more colds than seniors without grandchildren?

More Common Cold News and Information

Why Do We See Stars When Sneezing?

"Stars" while sneezing are caused by stimulation of the back of the eye.
How Do We Catch the Flu?
How Should I Treat a Cold?
Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?
Cold Case: How Sniffles are Stifled

It's no cure for the common cold, but a new finding sheds light on why they don't go on forever.
Happy People Catch Fewer Colds

It's not a cure for the common cold, but a new study is certainly something to cheer about. Go ahead: Be happy!
No Cure for Common Cold, but a Wiggle in the Right Direction

Compounds found to close the door on virus replication.
Is the Fat Virus For Real?

A common, contagious cold virus could be making you fat. But not all obesity experts believe it.