Why does the common cold occur? Let's find out exactly what it is.

A runny nose, a sore throat, and a runny nose... these symptoms are all very familiar to us, right? These are the first signs of a cold that we all know. In fact, there is no mistake in saying that this is the most common illness in the world. Although it is usually not that serious and gets better in a week or two, it is a major reason for seeing a doctor, not being able to go to school, or not being able to go to work.

What exactly is a cold?

Simply put, a cold is a viral infection. It is caused by various types of viruses. This virus mainly affects the upper respiratory system of our body, that is, the nose and throat.

The reason this is so common is that these viruses are very easily transmitted from person to person. The virus can spread through small droplets that enter the air when someone sneezes, coughs, or exhales. It can also be spread by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.

Who is most affected by this?

Although everyone gets a cold, some people get it more often. Why is that? Let's take a look.

Young children are the main target.

Young children can get six to ten colds a year. Sometimes, in families with school-age children, one child can get as many as 12 colds a year. This is mainly because young children spend a lot of time in close contact with each other in pre-schools, daycare centers, and schools. Also, their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to new viruses.

Adults usually have a rash two to four times a year. However, women between the ages of 20 and 30 seem to have a rash a little more often than men. This may be because they spend more time with young children.

But there is good news. As we get older, that is, after the age of 60, our bodies become more exposed to many viruses and develop immunity, so the chances of getting a cold decrease significantly. Then we may not even get one a year.

Does the weather affect colds?

We always say, "Oh, this cold only happens during the rainy season." There is some truth to that story.

In Sri Lanka, we can see this more during the rainy season and when the weather is cold. Also, the spread of this increases when the school holidays are over and it starts again.

There are two scientific reasons for this:

1. We all stay indoors: We go out less on cold, rainy days. When more people are together in closed spaces like homes, offices, and buses, the chances of the virus spreading from one person to another are much higher.

2. Low Humidity: Cold viruses can survive and spread better in dry, humid environments. Cold weather usually reduces the amount of moisture in the air.

3. Dry nose: Also, cold weather can dry out the delicate protective lining inside our nose. When this lining is moist, it filters out incoming viruses and germs. When this becomes dry, it is easier for a virus to enter and cause an infection.

So the next time you catch a cold on a cold day, remember that it's not just the cold that's causing it, but the cold weather that creates an environment that's conducive to the spread of the virus.

If the symptoms are mild, drinking warm liquids and getting plenty of rest may help. However, if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, high fever, chest pain, or if you don't feel better in a few days, it's best to see your doctor right away .

Cold, flu, phlegm, common cold, viral infection, respiratory diseases, childhood diseases