The common cold, which is perhaps one of the most contagious diseases and begins with a runny nose, burning and itching in the throat, usually has mild symptoms and disappears on its own within 1-2 weeks.

There is no complete cure for the common cold, and the treatment aims to eliminate the symptoms. The sickness, which has an incubation period of 2-3 days, can be easily transmitted from person to person through sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge.

While adults catch colds on average 2-4 times a year, this rate can go up to 6-7 times because children are often together with their peers in closed spaces such as nurseries and schools.

It is important for COPD and asthma patients at risk to take precautions, as simple infections they may be exposed to can quickly turn into serious lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.