why can't there be a cure for the common cold?

Question

surely if the word "common" is in the title, then there must be something there that would help preventing the cold in the first place?

Answer 1

A reason is that treatment for viruses is nonexistent, with few exceptions. Other, more than 100 viruses cause common cold

Answer 2

The word 'common' is loosely used here. There are many viruses that give us the 'cold' symptoms and if a person is healthy enough it will disappear within 5 to 7 days. Besides, it keeps your immune system on it's toes and if a cure were found, think of the consequences, once a new strain of the relatively harmless virus emerged it would kill you, because the body would no longer have the capability to overcome it in time. Personally I don't think it would be a good idea at all. I'd rather have a runny nose than die.

Answer 3

The "common cold" isn't just one cold, which makes it harder to fight.

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Common Cold Caused By Multiple Viruses, New Study Reveals

February 2, 1998--A recent study investigating causes of the common cold affirms that most colds are caused by viruses, but only half are a result of infection with the rhinovirus, the virus most often implicated in colds....

In 138 of the 200 cases, the researchers were able to identify an infectious agent as the cause. Rhinovirus was found to be the cause of 105, or just over half the cases in the study. Other causes of cold symptoms included coronavirus, influenza A virus, and respiratory syncitial virus (RSV). All of these viruses are known to cause symptoms associated with colds. Nearly all the colds with a known cause were found to be caused by a viral infection. Only 7 patients were found to have bacterial infections, but six were also found to have a viral infection as well....

Mild upper respiratory illness, also known as the common cold, is identified by a set of symptoms. These symptoms can include inflamed sinuses, nasal congestion and a sore throat. Studies done as early as the 1960s have identified rhinovirus as a frequent cause of colds, but the number of cases in which rhinovirus was detected has been as low as 25 percent. Although diagnostic methods have improved greatly since then, no studies into the cause of the common cold have been published recently.

Answer 4

The "common" cold is caused by adaptable organisms that mutate. Kinda like the freaks on Yahoo Q & A. Any normal "cure" medication would be ineffective in a matter of months.

Answer 5

Well if there was a cure for the common cold think of the millions lost each year by manufacturers of cold remedies! Seems like a conspiracy to me!

Answer 6

Because cold are viruses and are caused by many different strains of the virus. When you get at cold your body builds up an immunity to that particular strain of the virus, so it changes and the next time you get a cold it is slightly different. Also, cold are very contagious and they spread so quickly.

Answer 7

Because there are around 250+ strains of the common cold and it mutates on a regular basis.

Answer 8

It constantly mutates from one person to another. The same cold people had a year ago is a different strain of germs now. You can't medicate something that changes so much.

Answer 9

The common cold cold is caused by viruses which are constantly changing their genetic material so they cannot be targeted by a single vaccine or medicine.

Answer 10

Perhaps there is a cure and the government want the rest of us to die so they can save on pensions. What if it's only common folk that aren't given the cure. lol