All about the Common Cold An infection that affects the upper respiratory tract The common cold is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract – the nose, throat, sinuses (small spaces in the skull behind the eyes and nose), trachea (the main airway that runs to the lungs), larynx (voice box) and bronchial tubes (the airways in the lungs). Colds are caused by viruses and are highly infectious. Tiny droplets of fluid containing the cold virus are launched into the air by sneezing, coughing and even speaking. If these are breathed in by someone else then they may well become infected. Colds can also spread through direct and indirect contact. The virus can be passed on via a simple handshake. Alternatively, if an object is touched such as a door handle or telephone, the virus may be transferred to the object and then on to someone else. The symptoms of a cold usually begin 2-3 days after infection, and last for 2-14 days. Most people recover from a cold within a week. People are most contagious during the sneezing, runny nose and coughing phase that are the first signs of a cold developing. Colds are very common. They occur mainly during the winter months, although cold weather itself is not a cause of colds. Children tend to have more colds than adults. This is because adults have built up immunity against some of the viruses that cause colds. On average, adults have between two and four colds a year, while children may have as many as eight or ten. EchinaCold® is a newly registered traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Taking two to three tablets of EchinaCold® up to three times daily can help adults and children 12 years + to relieve symptoms of cold and flu type infections. For best results EchinaCold® should be taken at the first sign of infection. EchinaCold should not be taken for more than 10 days. If symptoms worsen during the use of the product or persist for more than 10 days, a physician or a qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted. More information... Understanding the Common Cold, and Flu Remedies Natural relief for flu symptoms Herbal Relief for Colds Is it a cold or flu? Kicking Coughs and Colds into Touch Natural Cold Remedies and Prevention