Common cold viruses include rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Most resolve on their own with rest and over-the-counter medications.
The average adult gets a cold 2–4 times every year. One reason this mild type of infection is so common is that hundreds of viruses can lead to it.
More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, and most of them are highly contagious. Rhinoviruses are the
In most cases, you can treat a common cold at home with rest and other home remedies, and most colds resolve after about a week.
This article reviews the most common types of colds, including their symptoms, stages, and duration.
More than 200 viruses can lead to the common cold. Here are the most common types:
Rhinovirus
According to the American Lung Association, 10–40% of all colds are caused by a rhinovirus. There are 100 types of rhinoviruses. They are highly contagious but generally very mild.
Coronavirus
There are about six types of seasonal coronaviruses that can infect humans and cause illness.
Most types of coronavirus result in mild to moderate symptoms of respiratory infections known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The best-known type of coronavirus is SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
HPIV
HPIV is most likely to cause symptoms in young children and older adults, but anyone can become ill if they contract this common virus. Typically, people with HPIV have very similar symptoms to people with colds caused by rhinovirus, such as a sore throat, sneezing, and congestion.
Symptoms of HPIV are often mild and will resolve on their own with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
Adenovirus
Adenoviruses are another common virus type that can lead to colds. There are about
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