Knowra Common cold Common cold A contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, usually causing a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, sneezing, and cough. Many different viruses can cause it.
Rhinovirus : A group of viruses that causes many common colds by infecting cells in the upper respiratory tract. Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of common colds.
Common cold treatment : Supportive measures used to ease symptoms while the body clears a common cold. Rest, fluids, and symptom relief address discomfort rather than the virus itself.
Influenza : A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, often with abrupt fever, aches, and fatigue. Influenza can resemble a cold but is often more severe and systemic.
Acute otitis media : A rapid-onset infection of the middle ear, often developing after a respiratory infection in children. A cold can block the Eustachian tube and precede a middle-ear infection.
Upper respiratory tract : The airways above the larynx, including the nose, nasal passages, sinuses, and pharynx. The common cold primarily affects these connected upper-airway structures.
Respiratory syncytial virus : A respiratory virus that can cause infections ranging from mild cold-like illness to severe disease. It can produce cold symptoms, especially in infants and older adults.
Decongestant : A medicine that reduces nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal lining. Decongestants can temporarily ease a blocked nose during a cold.
COVID-19 : A contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. COVID-19 can begin with cold-like symptoms but has distinct risks and testing needs.
Acute bronchitis : Short-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, commonly causing a cough after a respiratory infection. A cold virus can extend into the lower airways and leave a lingering cough.
Respiratory virus : A virus that infects tissues of the respiratory system and can spread through respiratory routes. The common cold belongs to this broad group of infections.
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