a. COMMON COLD AKA NASOPHARYNGITIS, RHINOPHARYNGITIS OR ACUTECORYZA. b.
c. The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection of viral origin, usually caused by a rhinovirus (up to 40% of colds), or by Coronaviruses (about 20%). These are the more common viruses, but there are more than 200 different viruses (some say as many as 700) that can cause the common cold. There are a huge number of different viruses from a number of different viral 'families' that cause cold symptoms.

d. The common cold is spread either by direct contact with infected secretions from contaminated surfaces or by inhaling the airborne virus after individuals sneeze or cough. Person-to-person transmission often occurs when an individual who has a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone or something else. A healthy individual who then makes direct contact with these secretions can subsequently become infected, often after their contaminated hands make contact with their own eyes, nose, or mouth. A cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects.

e. Infants and preschool children are especially susceptible to common colds because they haven't yet developed resistance to most of the viruses that cause them. But an immature immune system isn't the only thing that makes kids vulnerable. They also tend to spend lots of time with other children and frequently aren't careful about washing their hands and covering their mouths and noses when they cough and sneeze. Colds in newborns can be problematic if they interfere with nursing or breathing through the nose. Both children and adults are more susceptible to colds in fall and winter. That's because children are in school and most people spend a lot of time indoors. In warmer climates where cold weather doesn't keep people inside, colds are more frequent in the rainy season.

f. A cold usually includes a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, and coughing. These symptoms can last for up to two weeks.
 Sneezing
 Stuffy or runny nose
 Sore throat
 Coughing
 Watery eyes
 Mild headache
 Mild body aches

g. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 62 million cases of the common cold occur each year. In its most recent survey, NCHS reported that 20 million school days and 22 million days of work are lost annually due to the common cold. The incidence of the common cold decreases with age. Children have about two to six colds a year, while adults average about one to three colds a year.

h.  Washing your hands thoroughly (15-20 seconds) with soap and water  Avoiding hand-to-hand passage of germs and droplet sprays from sneezing and coughing  Using alcohol-based hand gels when washing is not possible

i.
Water and other fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse.
 Salt water. A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water — can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat.
 Saline nasal drops and sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend instilling several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb, gently place the syringe tip in the nostril about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 12 millimeters) and slowly release the bulb. Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children.
Unlike nasal decongestants, saline