The common cold is a minor infection of the nose and throat caused by the virus. It is spread through contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces that have the virus on them. The cold virus can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Symptoms of the cold include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and sneezing. There is no cure for the cold, but it can be treated with over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms.
There are a number of things you can do to avoid getting the cold, including: