<P> There is no vaccine for the common cold . The primary methods of prevention are: hand washing; not touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and staying away from sick people . Some evidence supports the use of face masks . There is also no cure, but the symptoms can be treated . Zinc may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms if started shortly after the onset of symptoms . Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help with pain . Antibiotics, however, should not be used and there is no good evidence for cough medicines . </P> <P> The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in humans . The average adult gets two to three colds a year, while the average child may get six to eight . Infections occur more commonly during the winter . These infections have existed throughout human history . </P> <P> The typical symptoms of a cold include a cough, a runny nose, nasal congestion and a sore throat, sometimes accompanied by muscle ache, fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite . A sore throat is present in about 40% of cases and a cough in about 50%, while muscle ache occurs in about half . In adults, a fever is generally not present but it is common in infants and young children . The cough is usually mild compared to that accompanying influenza . While a cough and a fever indicate a higher likelihood of influenza in adults, a great deal of similarity exists between these two conditions . A number of the viruses that cause the common cold may also result in asymptomatic infections . </P> <P> The color of the sputum or nasal secretion may vary from clear to yellow to green and does not indicate the class of agent causing the infection . </P>

Where did the term catch a cold come from