By Anna Lytton

Symptoms The symptoms usually develop between 12 hours and 3 days of infection. Symptoms usually intensify over hours. Symptoms may include:  Frequent sneezing  Runny nose  Mild fever and headache  Sore throat and sometimes a cough

Causes  There are at least 200 viruses that can cause the common cold. They are easily transmitted through coughs or sneezes from infected people, or hand-to-hand contact. The common cold can occur at any time of the year, but is most common during winter or fall. It is most common in children.

Diagnosing  There are no tests to diagnose the common cold. It is diagnosed based on symptoms. They test you for similar viruses like: Influenza, strep throat, sinus infection, bronchitis and ear infections. If you have none of these illnesses, you most likely have a cold.

Treatments  There is no cure for the common cold. Over the counter drugs can help relieve symptoms. Its also important to drink lots of cold liquids to bring down a fever. Large quantities of vitamin C can help to prevent infection and treat the common cold.

Treatment Results  A cold usually goes away in 2 to 3 weeks. Treatment or drugs usually results in a decrease of symptoms. There are no drugs currently available to combat the common cold because there are so many different forms of the viruses.

Citations  "Common cold." Complete Home Medical Guide eLibrary Science. Web. 06 Jan 2012  "Common cold." Children's Health eLibrary Science. Web. 06 Jan  "Common cold." Magill's Medical Guide, 4th Rev. ed eLibrary Science. Web. 10 Jan 2012.