The common cold is an infection of the head and chest caused by a virus. It is a type of upper respiratory infection (URI). It can affect your nose, throat, sinuses, and ears. A cold can also affect the tube that connects your middle ear and throat, as well as your windpipe, voice box, and airways.

Over 200 different viruses can cause colds. The infection spreads when viruses are passed to others by sneezing, coughing, or personal contact. You may also become infected by handling objects that were touched by someone with a cold.

You are more likely to get a cold if you are tired, emotionally or physically stressed, if you do not eat healthy foods, if you are a smoker, if you are exposed to secondhand smoke, or if you live or work in crowded conditions.

People tend to get fewer colds as they get older because they build up immunity to some of the viruses that can cause colds.