• Question: how do you get a cold?

    Asked by bola123 to Lyn, Katy, Paul, PB, Ruth on 20 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Peter Balfe

      Peter Balfe answered on 20 Jun 2013:

      Most colds are viral in origin and transmit through aerosol droplets or as deposited particles on surfaces (fomites). The virus-induced sneezing that accompanies a cold is a way for the virus to get out to a new host. These droplets and fomites are more stable at lower temperatures, which is why colds are more frequent in winter.

    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 20 Jun 2013:

      A cold is caused by any of up to 200 types of virus. These viruses are carried by tiny droplets which often originate from someone’s sneezes and settle onto surfaces or float about waiting to be breathed in. When the viruses get up your nose, they attach to the inner lining of your nose. Your own immune system then attacks the viruses, causing the inside of your nose to swell up and start producing lots of snot and sneezing!

    • Photo: Katy Brown

      Katy Brown answered on 20 Jun 2013:

      Yep, you get a cold when a virus manages to get inside your nose. This means that being cold and wet can’t give you a cold. However, it can make you more likely to get sick if a virus does get to you, possible because cold viruses replicate better in cold noses!

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