Colds

As the name implies, the common cold is the most common illness to occur all over the world.  It is perhaps safe to say that every single person in this earth has experienced having the common at least once their lives.  In the United States alone, statistics show that there are 1 billion cold cases reported every year.  That doesn't say anything about the unreported cases of cold.

As with other common things, the cold is often taken for granted.  Ask the average person and he probably won't be able to explain what a cold really is.  In fact, a cold is a mild case of viral infection of the nose and throat.  As a result of this viral infection, people affected with colds often suffer from sneezing and snuffling, either a runny nose or nasal congestion, and a sore, scratchy, or phlegmy throat.  The person's sinuses may also swell when he has a cold, thus making the symptoms feel worse.  In addition to these symptoms, a person with colds may suffer from headache, tiredness, and sometimes fever.  The symptoms of a cold usually is manifested within 2 to 3 days of the infection.  As compared with the flu, symptoms of a cold are milder and may last anywhere from 5 to 10 days.