good to know says: Common colds are not serious but can make you feel rotten. They're caused by many different viruses which infect the nose and chest, making you cough, sneeze and feel generally unwell. You may also get a sore throat, high temperature, ear ache and find it difficult to sleep. Cold symptoms usually ease within three days although with a really bad one you may not feel completely well for several weeks. Antibiotics won't work because colds are caused by viral infections, not bacterial. Just take paracetamol or ibuprofen and drink plenty fluids. Remedies from the chemist may ease symptoms too.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of Common colds from patient.co.uk, read on
A cold is an infection of the nose and upper airways caused by a virus. Many different viruses can cause a cold. This is why colds recur, and immunisation against colds is not possible. Children tend to have more colds than adults as adults have built up immunity to many viruses. Adults and older children have an average of 2-4 colds a year.
(Young children of primary school age or below have an average of 3-8 colds a year. See separate leaflet called 'Coughs and Colds in Young Children'.)