Common cold - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
May 24, 2023 · Complications These conditions can occur along with your cold: Middle ear infection. This is the swelling and build-up of fluids in the space behind the eardrum. It may be caused by a …
Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
Feb 24, 2024 · How long do cold and flu viruses stay alive after people with a virus cough or sneeze? Viruses that cause the common cold, the flu and COVID-19 may be able to infect someone for …
Common cold - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
May 24, 2023 · Treatment There's no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment within 7 to 10 days. But a cough may last a few more days. The best thing …
COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences?
Oct 22, 2025 · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause many of the same symptoms as the common cold, seasonal allergies and the flu. So how can you tell if you have COVID-19? It may help …
Bacterial vs. viral infections: How do they differ? - Mayo Clinic
Nov 25, 2025 · Bacteria cause bacterial infections. Viruses cause viral infections. Antibiotic medicines kill or keep many bacteria from growing but don't treat viruses. Antiviral medicines help the body …
Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't - Mayo Clinic
Jul 12, 2024 · Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold. But do they work? Nothing can cure a cold, which is caused by germs called viruses. But some remedies might help ease your …
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV): Symptoms and prevention
Feb 19, 2025 · Human metapneumovirus, also called HMPV, is a virus that can infect the nose, throat and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system. An HMPV infection can make you feel like you …
Common cold in babies - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Apr 11, 2025 · The common cold is an infection of the nose and throat, called an upper respiratory tract infection. More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common. A …
Cold or allergy: Which is it? - Mayo Clinic
Feb 13, 2024 · You can tell the difference between a cold and a seasonal allergy by key symptoms and how regularly symptoms appear. Colds are caused by your immune system's response when you …
Zinc for colds: The final word? - Mayo Clinic
Apr 30, 2025 · No one enjoys the tiredness, scratchy or sore throat, drippy nose, headache, and cough of a cold. Viruses are the most common causes of colds, in particular viruses called rhinoviruses.