What is the common cold?

  • Sore throat and runny nose are usually the first signs of a cold, followed by coughing and sneezing. Most people recover in about 7-10 days. You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with sick people, and don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.
  • Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults miss work. Each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold. Adults have an average of 2-3 colds per year, and especially young children.
  • Most people get colds in the winter and spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year.
  • The common cold has symptoms similar to COVID. Testing is the only way to determine if it is a cold or COVID.

Is it a reportable illness?

This is not a reportable illness to CDPH but consult with your school nurse to learn more.

What do schools need to do next?

  • Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected through contact with stool (poop) or respiratory secretions from an infected person. This can happen when you shake hands with someone who has a cold, or touch a surface, like a doorknob, that has respiratory viruses on it, then touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.
    • You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold:
      • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Viruses that cause colds can live on your hands, and regular handwashing can help protect you from getting sick.
      • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Viruses that cause colds can enter your body this way and make you sick.
      • Stay away from people who are sick. Sick people can spread viruses that cause the common cold through close contact with others.
      • Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette: always cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, completely covering your mouth and nose.
  • No action for close contacts.
  • No special cleaning.

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