1 Billion
- The number of colds Americans catch annually; Adults get an average of two to three colds per year, while preschoolers catch up to nine.
200
- The approximate number of cold-causing viruses.
0
- The number of bacteria that cause the common cold. All colds are caused by viruses.
60%
- The percent of time antibiotics, which fight bacteria, are prescribed by doctors for a sore throat, a common cold symptom.
$2.9 Billion
- The amount Americans spend each year on over-the-counter drugs – in addition to $400 million on prescription drugs – to relieve cold symptoms.
2 to 3
- The number of days people are usually most contagious after catching a cold. Colds are typically not contagious after the first week.
0
- The number of scientifically proven cures for the common cold.
7 to 10
- The number of days required for most cold sufferers to recover.
$7.7 Billion
- A conservative estimate of the cost of the 100 million physician visits that Americans make annually due to cold symptoms.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. National Library of Medicine and PubMed Health; and JAMA Internal Medicine.
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