A cold is a highly contagious viral infection characterized by a group of common, recognizable symptoms, such as fever, runney eyes, stuffy nose, head congestion and a sore throat. It can be caused by any of hundreds of viruses. These viruses are so small that they slip easily through the network of filters located in the nasal passages, which normally trap larger bacteria. Multiplying rapidly, the viruses create the typical uncomfortable symptoms of a cold while attacking the nose and throat. The battle, which finally ends when the body’s immune system has wiped out the invading viruses, lasts from seven to ten days, unless complications, such as pneumonia or brochitis, set in.
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