If you are feeling unwell at the moment, it is highly likely that you have caught a common cold. While cases of most wintertime respiratory illnesses have dropped significantly since the colder months, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that cold-causing rhinoviruses and enteroviruses have been increasing throughout April. Weekly test positivity for these viruses has risen to approximately 20%, up from 16% on April 4.
Spread and Impact of Cold Viruses
These viruses are highly contagious and can affect individuals of any age. However, infants, children, and teenagers are more susceptible to infection than adults. Rhinoviruses are responsible for about half of all common colds, and there are over 200 types of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses that can infect humans, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The department states that millions of cases of the common cold occur annually in the United States. On average, adults experience two to three colds per year, while children suffer even more. Penn Medicine reports that there are more than one billion colds each year in the U.S., and unlike flu and COVID-19, colds can be contracted at any time of the year.
Symptoms and Duration
Colds typically last less than a week, with symptoms peaking within two to three days of infection. Common symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headache, body aches, fever, and nasal congestion. In more severe cases, complications such as ear and sinus infections, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia may develop, according to the CDC. Although rare, colds can be fatal, though the exact number of deaths attributed specifically to colds in the U.S. each year is unknown.
Rhinoviruses vs. Enteroviruses
Rhinoviruses are generally mild but can cause serious illness in high-risk populations. Enteroviruses, on the other hand, are often more severe, even in healthy individuals, says Dr. Matthew Goldman of the Cleveland Clinic's family medicine department. Enteroviruses, excluding polio, cause approximately 10 to 15 million infections and tens of thousands of hospitalizations annually. Rhinoviruses have also been linked to a significant number of infant hospitalizations.
Both viruses spread easily but through different mechanisms. Rhinoviruses primarily spread via coughing, sneezing, and touching contaminated surfaces. Some enteroviruses can be airborne but are more commonly transmitted through contact with fecal matter. Dr. Goldman notes that places like daycares, schools, and crowded indoor spaces facilitate the spread of either virus, even before symptoms appear.
Prevention and Treatment
To reduce exposure, individuals should wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their eyes and nose, and maintain distance from people who are or may be infected. If you catch a cold, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and use over-the-counter medications as needed, except for children under six years old. The American Lung Association emphasizes that there is no cure for the common cold, but it typically resolves on its own.
