Among human diseases, the common cold stands apart. Not only is it one of the most common human diseases, but because there are so many respiratory viruses that cause colds, it is also one of the most complex. This review discusses the respiratory viruses and notes that all these viruses may cause the illness complex recognised as the common cold. The common cold is discussed as part of the “iceberg concept” of disease which ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe illness and death.
Modern Medicine – Issue 3, 2025
