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Common Cold
 Overview
 Cause
 Transmission
 Symptoms
 Treatment
 Prevention
 Complications
 Research


Common Cold

Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose—everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. People in the United States suffer 1 billion colds each year, according to some estimates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22 million school days are lost annually in the United States due to the common cold.

Understanding the Common Cold


Volunteer for Clinical Studies
Volunteer for NIAID-funded clinical studies related to common cold on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Related Publications

  • Is It a Cold or an Allergy? (PDF)
  • ¿Será un resfrío o serán alergias? (PDF) [en español]
  • Is it a Cold or the Flu? (PDF)
  • ¿Es un Resfrío o la Influenza? (PDF) [en español]
  • Related Links

    View a list of links for more information about the common cold.

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    Volunteer for Clinical Studies
    Volunteer for NIAID-funded clinical studies related to common cold on ClinicalTrials.gov.

    Related Publications

  • Is It a Cold or an Allergy? (PDF)
  • ¿Será un resfrío o serán alergias? (PDF) [en español]
  • Is it a Cold or the Flu? (PDF)
  • ¿Es un Resfrío o la Influenza? (PDF) [en español]
  • Related Links

    View a list of links for more information about the common cold.