Let’s talk about the common Cold (upper respiratory infection), today – Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake-Health writer   A cold (coryza) is considered the commonest malady that affects almost everyone, including children worldwide. It is always a virus infection and never bacterial, unless you get affected secondarily whilst suffering from a common cold. There are many viruses that can cause a cold and the most common one is the rhinovirus. Other less common ones are- adenovirus, coronavirus, enterovirus, and so on. Rhinovirus is more potent than the others as it can cause other infections like pneumonia, otitis (ear infections), sinus and throat infections, and can trigger an asthma attack. You could always diagnose a cold without seeing your doctor: runny nose, (sniffles), sore throat, ear ache and fever. Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections have a life span- may be a week or two and you getting better. Unfortunately, you do not ...

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