According to Robert Bradsher, M.D., Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAMS, colds are really upper respiratory infections and can result from more than 200 different viruses. These include the rhinoviruses, the group most often associated with the common cold, which primarily affects the nose and throat. Cold weather usually makes people stay indoors, which might increase the person-to-person transmission of respiratory viruses.
“These viruses, including influenza, are very infectious and are transmitted from one person to the next by touching something that has had the respiratory virus on it and then touching your eye or nose or mouth,” Dr. Bradsher said. “Some believe that the lower humidity during the winter allows these viruses to persist longer in the environment. Washing your hands or using an alcohol-based hand washing solution is a good way to avoid getting a cold.”
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