It is so small it can pass through fine filters that can stop bacteria. People with colds carry lots of these viruses in their noses and throats. These are spread from person to person in the small drops produced during coughing and sneezing. They can also be passed by hand to hand contact after touching infected noses and eyes. A cold usually attacks the nose, throat and lungs with little or no fever, muscle aches or pains.
Individuals differ in the amount of symptoms they have.
Over 100 viruses can cause the common cold. There is often more than one strain going around in the community at any one time. Over half of us catch a cold in winter and over a quarter of us catch one in the spring. School children and people working in hospitals may experience from six to twelve colds a year. Parents or families with young children in day care, pre-school and primary school get about six colds a year.