The cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses, known as Rhinoviruses. Chances of catching a cold virus is thought to increase in cold weather as it forces people to crowd together indoors for a prolonged period of time and thus increase the possibility of transmission by infected individuals. The cold virus is spread through the air from coughing or sneezing or by rubbing your eyes or nose once your hands have come in contact with objects previously contaminated by a person with a cold. The susceptibility to colds decreases with age as your body creates anti-bodies to defeat each different strain of the virus when it is infected by one. Children usually average about ten colds in a year while an adult averages about three colds in a year.
Complications can arise when a cold escalates to bronchitis, pneumonia or sinus infections.
There are no real cures for the common cold. Medication is only subscribed for the symptoms and bed rest is usually the best remedy. Home treatments such as chicken soup may be helpful but not for the reasons you believe. The real value of chicken soup lies in the steam. It acts as a decongestant.