What is responsible for the common cold?

What is responsible for the common cold?

• A. Virus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Cold air
• D. Allergies

Answer: (A)

The common cold is caused by a virus. Viruses are tiny infectious particles that invade our cells to replicate, which is why antibiotics don’t work against colds. The rhinoviruses are the most frequent culprits, though several other viruses can cause similar symptoms. The illness spreads mainly through respiratory droplets when someone talks, sneezes, or coughs, and by touching surfaces and then the face, so good hygiene helps reduce transmission. Bacteria can cause many illnesses, but they’re not the typical cause of the common cold. Cold air doesn’t create a virus; it may make symptoms more noticeable or irritate airways, but the infection itself comes from a viral invader. Allergies can mimic cold symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing, but they’re not contagious infections caused by a virus.

The common cold is caused by a virus. Viruses are tiny infectious particles that invade our cells to replicate, which is why antibiotics don’t work against colds. The rhinoviruses are the most frequent culprits, though several other viruses can cause similar symptoms. The illness spreads mainly through respiratory droplets when someone talks, sneezes, or coughs, and by touching surfaces and then the face, so good hygiene helps reduce transmission.

Bacteria can cause many illnesses, but they’re not the typical cause of the common cold. Cold air doesn’t create a virus; it may make symptoms more noticeable or irritate airways, but the infection itself comes from a viral invader. Allergies can mimic cold symptoms like a runny nose or sneezing, but they’re not contagious infections caused by a virus.