How Are Cold Viruses Spread? Common Cold Transmission & Tips for Avoiding the Spread of Colds

How Are Cold Viruses Transmitted?

Cold viruses spread through tiny droplets released into the air when someone who is sick sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose. You can become infected if someone with a cold does any of those things near you, or if you touch your nose or eyes after touching an infected surface, also called fomites.

Direct contact is another reason for common cold transmission. For example, shaking hands with someone who has a cold and germs on their hand may result in you becoming infected. Actual infection occurs when the virus enters through one of your mucous membranes, which line the nose, eyes, and mouth.

Given the volume of cold virus strains—there are 100 different types of rhinoviruses alone—and the different ways in which you can become infected, it probably comes as no surprise that people in the United States suffer 1 billion colds annually. Colds can spread fast, and you may not always be aware that you’ve been exposed to a cold virus.

How Long Does it Take to Catch a Cold From Someone Else?

You can become infected as soon as you are exposed to a cold virus. However, it may be anywhere from 12 hours to 3 days before you begin experiencing your first symptom(s). This is called the Incubation Period.

That timeframe reinforces the idea that you may not always know you have a cold until your symptoms appear. Plus, you might spread cold viruses during the incubation period, making common cold transmission all the more rampant.

How Long is a Cold Contagious?

Cold viruses can be contagious for up to two weeks from the time the Incubation Period starts—even after your symptoms end. But most colds are not contagious after the first week. You typically reach peak contagiousness 4-7 days after your cold begins.

Even though you may still be contagious once your symptoms subside, you likely want to do whatever you can to help with symptoms as soon as possible. Zicam® Cold Remedy products can help reduce the duration of your common cold*:

• Zicam® Cold Remedy RapidMelts® contain zinc to help reduce the duration of the common cold*. These quick-dissolve tablets melt in your mouth and come in Citrus, Cherry, or Lemon-Lime flavors, as well as an Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) Citrus formula that also helps relieve cold symptoms‡. ULTRA RapidMelts® are available in Orange Cream and Cherry flavors, both of which are free of sugars and dyes.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Medicated Fruit Drops come in Orange and Manuka Honey flavor and include zinc which helps reduce the duration of the common cold*, plus there is an Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) flavor that also helps relieve cold symptoms‡.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Lozenges are formulated with zinc and reduce the duration of the common cold*. These great-tasting Wild Cherry flavor lozenges also help soothe sore throats and coughs‡.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Spray is the only nasal spray that helps shorten colds‡. This zinc-free, homeopathic, no-drip nasal spray reduces the duration of the common cold*, helps relieve nasal congestion, and contains menthol and eucalyptus.
• Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs are the only cold-shortening nasal swabs, and they do not include zinc. These homeopathic nasal swabs with eucalyptus and menthol deliver a gel formula to help relieve nasal congestion and shorten the duration of the common cold*.
• Zicam® Cold & Flu-Like Symptoms‡ are cooling, peppermint-flavored tablets that help relieve six cold and flu-like symptoms, including sore throat and chest congestion‡.

Lastly, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms worsen or remain more than a week after they begin. You may have an infection or more serious respiratory illness.

How Long Can Cold Germs Live on Surfaces?

Cold germs can live on surfaces for days after someone who is infected has touched the surface, or sneezed and coughed on that surface. But the virus survival is dependent on a number of elements, including surface (fomite) characteristics and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

Additionally, the level of infectiousness varies greatly. It may be influenced by the number of microbes present on a surface. Moreover, some germs may last longer (in certain environments) on hard, non-porous surfaces compared to clothing fabrics, or vice versa.

Generally speaking, viral survival decreases over time with cleaning and usage. And even if the DNA of cold germs remain on a given surface, they may no longer pose a threat for infection after a while.

Tips for Reducing the Risk of Common Cold Transmission

While you cannot completely prevent your cold from spreading, you can take steps to curb common cold transmission. Some of these steps include:

• Stay home when you’re sick: It’s a good idea to take precautions when you have a cold, and that means staying home so you can limit personal interaction and exposing others to your cold virus.
• Wash your hands: Exhibiting good hygiene is crucial when you’re sick. Handwashing with soap can help remove germs from your hands. You can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Wear a mask: Putting on a mask and wearing gloves can help protect others in your home. And be sure to cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze.
• Wipe down surfaces: Consider wiping down and using disinfectant on any surfaces you use when you’re sick.
• Improve air quality: Germs and cold viruses spread more easily indoors. If you live with friends or loved ones, you might instruct them to get fresh air by opening doors or windows and make sure to set heating or cooling systems to “ON” instead of “AUTO” to get more consistent airflow. You might also consider running humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or fans throughout your residence.
• Run more loads of laundry: It’s a good idea to wash your clothes, sheets, pillowcases, and blankets you’ve used when you are sick. This is especially true if you sleep in the same room as a romantic partner.

Do not push yourself when you’re sick. Try to stay away from others when you have a cold and, if that’s impossible, employ some of the other strategies above to help reduce the risk of spreading your cold.

Should I Stay Home if I Have a Cold But No Fever?

You should still stay home if you have a cold virus even if your low-grade fever (which is rare with colds) has dissipated – especially if you still have lingering symptoms. You may still be contagious.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests you can resume your normal activities only when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms have significantly improved or subsided and your fever has dissipated without the use of fever-reducing medication. Both things must be true in order for you to return to your daily routines.

Should I Go to Work with a Sore Throat and a Runny Nose?

You should not go to work when you have a sore throat and a runny nose if those symptoms are caused by a cold virus. However, it’s possible you have a sore throat and runny nose because of allergies – in that case, you can still go to work, since allergies are not contagious.

It’s important to understand the difference between colds and allergies, since they cause many of the same symptoms. If you’re still unsure about whether your sore throat and runny nose come from a cold or an allergy, your best bet is to stay home until those symptoms improve.

Do Your Part in Limiting the Spread of the Common Cold

Cold viruses spread easily. So, when you have a cold, take the necessary precautions to isolate, rest, and clean different surfaces around your home. Finally, make sure you’re taking care of yourself and working to help reduce the duration of your cold by taking Zicam® Cold Remedy products at the first sign.