By Charles G. Ison, M.D.

Each year, there are an estimated one billion cases of the common cold in the U.S.
The cold is probably the most common illness, certainly among the children I encounter.
Because colds are more common during cold weather, it was once thought that exposure to cold actually caused the illness -- hence the name.
In fact, colds are caused by more than 200 different viruses.
The cold season in the U.S runs from the end of August through April, peaking during the colder months for good reason.
Because colds are more common in children and are easier to catch when people are packed together indoors, it is no coincidence that the school season closely matches the cold and flu season.
Being indoors with others because of cold weather allows for easier transmission of cold viruses.
The viruses also survive better when there is low humidity and everyone’s nasal passages are dry (as commonly happens in the winter).
Cold viruses are usually caught by two scenarios.
Touching surfaces that contain viruses and then touching the eyes or nose can cause infection.
The more direct route is by inhaling droplets of mucus that contain the virus that have been sprayed into the air (usually by a sneeze).
Symptoms from a cold usually occur two to three days after infection.
The main symptoms are a runny nose, congestion, sinus pain, sore or scratchy throat, headache, and cough.
Colds are usually accompanied by only a low-grade fever, if any, although infants and young children may have a fever of up to 102 degrees.
Mucus from the nose often turns from clear to yellow or green in two to four days.
Symptoms can last from two days to two weeks, but most colds end in a week.
Those with colds are contagious for two to four days after symptoms appear. Sometimes, though, they can be contagious for up to three weeks.
There is still no cure for the common cold, but some things can be done to help a child feel better.
Resting, drinking plenty of liquids, using a cool-mist humidifier, and medicines such as saline nasal drops and acetaminophen can bring some relief.
Chicken soup may help, as well. Buckwheat honey, for those at least a year old, can help with a cough.
Over-the-counter cold and cough remedies are not recommended for those under six years of age.
Children average about 6-10 colds a year. About 22 million school days a year are lost because of the common cold, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC).
A cure for or immunization against the common cold is still nowhere in sight.
With more than 200 different causes, developing a cure or immunization for the common cold would be a gargantuan task.
I last wrote about colds in these pages nine years ago. Little has changed.
Nine years from now, I doubt if things will be much different.

Dr. Charles Ison is a University of Kentucky graduate who has practiced in his hometown since 1993. He is a partner in Pediatric and Adolescent Associates.