Colds
- Colds Overview
- Causes of Colds
- Colds Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Colds Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Natural Cold & Flu Remedies - Slideshow

Colds Overview
The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is a self-limiting illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses.
The common cold produces mild symptoms usually lasting only 5-10 days. In contrast, the "flu" (influenza), which is caused by a different class of virus, can have severe symptoms.
Next: Causes of Colds »
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Common Cold - What You Do To Avoid
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What do you do to avoid catching a cold?
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Rhinoviruses »
The common cold is an acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) characterized by mild coryzal symptoms, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and sneezing.
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