Causes of Cold, common

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Viruses cause the common cold. There are between one hundred and two hundred different viruses that can cause colds. The most common belong to one of two groups: the rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. This is why someone can have several colds one after the other, each one caused by a different virus.

Colds are spread by airborne droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or by hand contact.

The virus attacks the lining of the nose and throat, which causes swelling (inflammation) of these areas. The inflammation means that more mucus is produced resulting in a runny nose and sneezing.

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