The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract - the nose, nasal passages and the throat. There are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds. The primary family of viruses that cause common colds in adults are the rhinoviruses. There are more than one hundred kinds of rhinoviruses.
Symptoms usually show up about two days after a person becomes infected.
Early signs of a cold are a sore, scratchy throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. Some cases may last for two weeks. Although no fatalities have been reported among otherwise healthy workers the disability is important because it affects work performance and industrial absenteeism. Yes, it is even possible to be exposed to cold viruses and not become infected. Most people with colds show mild symptoms but severe colds can send one to bed with all the nasty symptoms of headache, fever, aches and pains all over, stuffy nose and coughing.