Ask a doctor - What causes a cold?

Q. What causes a cold?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

So, imagine your body is like a fortress, constantly defending itself against invaders. Now, sometimes sneaky little germs, called viruses, manage to sneak past your defenses. One type of virus that loves to wreak havoc is the rhinovirus. It's a sneaky little bugger that causes what we call the common cold.

Now, when you come into contact with someone who's already got a cold or touch surfaces that they've touched, those pesky rhinoviruses can hop onto you. They then start to set up camp in your nose or throat, where they begin to multiply like crazy.

Your body notices these unwelcome guests and goes into battle mode. Your immune system kicks into high gear, sending out all sorts of soldiers to fight off the invaders. This is why you might start to feel stuffy, sneezy, or have a sore throat – those are just signs that your body is fighting back!

Usually, your immune system eventually wins the battle, but it can take a week or so for the symptoms to go away completely. In the meantime, make sure to rest up, drink plenty of fluids, and maybe even indulge in some chicken soup – it might not cure the cold, but it sure can make you feel better!