Bad cold virus 2014

Moreover, a weakened immune system from a bout of the common cold can also increase the risk of secondary infections, such as bacterial sinusitis, doctors say.

Some recovering patients also may get back-to-back colds, falling victim to one of the known viruses known to cause the illness. Experts say the average adult gets two to five colds per year, while school children may get seven to Attempts to stay away from these known germ carriers may be fruitless—individuals can infect others without suffering symptoms themselves, physicians note. More than strains of rhinovirus have been identified, she notes.

To become infected, a person's so-called ICAM receptors, which the rhinovirus latches onto to enter the nasal passageway, need to be open. The risk of infection is more likely if a person is stressed, fatigued, or their health is suffering otherwise. We spoke with the University of Arizona's Chuck Gerba—a microbiologist and expert in "fomites," or inanimate objects that are capable of spreading disease—about some of the most alarming hot spots on a plane, and the measures travelers can take to protect themselves.

Now we're going out, meeting with friends and getting on public transport again, the common cold spreads again. Not mixing so much last winter has meant this year the government's trying to get more people than ever to have a flu vaccine. Health officials are worried as it will be the first year both Covid and flu will circulate at the same time, so they want everyone who's eligible to get it. More than 40 million people across the UK are being offered a flu jab, including for the first time, all secondary-school children up to the age of Firstly, remember the three main symptoms of coronavirus.

If you have one of these, get a PCR test. If you don't have these symptoms but still want to check, you can do a free lateral flow test. If you can't get one through your employer or place of education you can get test kits delivered free to your home or pick them up. ZOE, the world's largest ongoing study into the virus, states through their millions of health reports, many of the symptoms of Covid are now the same as a regular cold, especially for people who have received two doses of the vaccine.

That makes it harder to tell the difference. ZOE says: "a negative result from a lateral flow test is not reliable enough to be sure you're definitely not infected, so if your symptoms persist it's best to get a PCR test to be sure.

But if it is just a cold Dr Philippa says most of the time these can be managed at home. Her recommendation is to have "loads of fluids and rest, over-the-counter simple painkillers for headaches and aches and pains. She adds: "You can get lots of advice from your local pharmacist for minor coughs and colds.

Look, we don't want to put new university students off their exciting first few weeks but freshers' flu will be pretty much unavoidable. Just ask year-old Noor Hashmi - studying at the University of Edinburgh, she's been suffering with the worst illness she's ever had. It's not actually flu though - it's just another version of the common cold. Add in the fact that students' immune systems will probably take a battering from going out a lot, and you'll be vulnerable to it.

Luckily, protecting yourself isn't rocket science - it's a case of eating well, getting enough sleep and washing your hands regularly. And remember to register for your local GP if you're moving somewhere new. Noor can't wait to get back to socialising properly. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Jan. Upper respiratory tract infection.

Mayo Clinic; Common cold. Merck Manual Professional Version. Natural medicines for cold and flu. Natural Medicines. Green JL, et al. Safety profile of cough and cold medication use in pediatrics. When to give kids medicine for coughs and colds. Food and Drug Administration. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention. Vitamin C. Sore throats. Pappas DE. The common cold in children: Management and prevention.

Baughn JM expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Related Cold or allergy: Which is it? Cold remedies Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm? Do zinc supplements shorten colds?