are colds usually bacterial or viral?
233586
Viruses are little parasites that reproduce rapidly and cause the common cold, the flu, and certain pneumonias. Most respiratory illnesses are not serious—the culprit is usually a virus not bacterium.
158769
Adults average about 2 to 4 colds a year, although the range varies widely. Women, especially those aged 20 to 30 years, have more colds than men, possibly because of their closer contact with children. On average, people older than age 60 have fewer than one cold a year.
2417
Fevers are often a sign that your body is fighting off some type of bacterial or viral infection. A viral fever is any fever that's caused by an underlying viral illness. A variety of viral infections can affect humans, from the common cold to the flu. A low-grade fever is a symptom of many viral infections.
1300824
Pneumonia vs. You might be feeling better, but then you start getting symptoms again -- and this time, they can be a lot worse. Cold symptoms tend to start slowly. You're more likely to sneeze and have a runny nose and sore throat than with either the flu or pneumonia. Colds don't usually cause a fever in adults.
823335
Dr. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers get about seven to eight colds a year. And during school age, they average five to six colds a year. Teenagers finally reach an adult level of four colds a year.
1152989
Cold symptoms A cold is a viral upper respiratory tract infection that typically affects the nasal part of the respiratory system. The infection is usually mild and goes away without treatment. Symptoms may include a runny nose, headache, and sneezing. About half of patients can also experience a cough or sore throat.
468015
Some people do not suffer any symptoms when infected with the cold virus, perhaps because their immune system reacts differently to the virus. Sometimes, bacteria can infect the ears or sinuses during this viral infection — this is known as a secondary bacterial infection — and can be treated with antibiotics.
167168
While the weather is not directly responsible for making people sick, the viruses that cause colds may spread more easily in lower temperatures, and exposure to cold and dry air may adversely impact the body's immune system.
609958
Colds can occur at any time of the year, but they are most common in the winter or rainy seasons. A cold virus spreads through tiny, air droplets that are released when the sick person sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose. You can catch a cold if: A person with a cold sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose near you.
1054092
A cold is a viral upper respiratory tract infection that typically affects the nasal part of the respiratory system. The infection is usually mild and goes away without treatment. Symptoms may include a runny nose, headache, and sneezing. About half of patients can also experience a cough or sore throat.
977420
Viruses or bacteria Bacterial conjunctivitis is most often caused by the same type of bacteria that cause strep throat and staph infections. Conjunctivitis caused by a virus, on the other hand, is usually the result of one of the viruses that cause the common cold.
394414
Many people associate cold weather with the common cold. While the weather is not directly responsible for making people sick, the viruses that cause colds may spread more easily in lower temperatures, and exposure to cold and dry air may adversely impact the body's immune system.
1266283
Winter Illness Guide. Colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses are more common in colder months. People are indoors more often, allowing viruses to pass more easily from one person to another. And the cold, dry air may weaken resistance.
1225813
The common cold, also known as an upper respiratory infection, is a virus that infects the upper respiratory tract – your nose, mouth and throat. More than 3 million people develop common colds each year. They are typically self-diagnosable, self-treatable and resolve within a few days or as long as a few weeks.
532183
Viruses and bacteria The most common cause of a cough is a respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu. Respiratory tract infections are usually caused by a virus and may last from a few days to a week. Infections caused by the flu may take a little longer to clear up and can sometimes require antibiotics.
953489
Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Nevertheless, some doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections such as colds and the flu as an extra precaution, perhaps to ease the concerns of patients who think they need medicine, or to prevent a subsequent bacterial infection from arising while the body is weak.
558644
Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected through contact with stool (poop) or respiratory secretions from an infected person.