Experts warn to let sneezes out after man tears hole in his throat
Doctors spread the story of man who had lucky escape in Scotland after trying to stifle a sneeze while driving
October 2023
People may suffer ‘long colds’ more than four weeks after infection, study shows
Results in the Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine journal found a ‘similar risk’ of long-term symptoms as those with Covid
November 2022
Does exposure to cold and flu viruses weaken or strengthen the immune system?
And is that answer different now in our Covid world? Linda Geddes looks at the evidence and talks to the experts
July 2022
UK scientists take ‘promising’ step towards single Covid and cold vaccine
Brigid Delaney's diary
You cannot sneeze in public any more without risking glares – but I’ve just eaten this bowl of hot wings
Brigid Delaney
November 2021
Conversations with experts
Will we ever cure the common cold? We ask the expert
Prof Sheena Cruickshank, an immunologist at the University of Manchester, on the possibility of a cold vaccine
October 2021
Digested week
Digested week: it feels outrageous to have a cold again
Emma Brockes
Calls for inquiry as negative Covid PCR tests after positive lateral flow reported
September 2021
Return of the common cold: infections surge in UK as autumn arrives
After 18 months of social distancing, scientists believe people’s immune defences have weakened
February 2021
Q&A: Does handwashing stem the transmission of Covid-19?
Airborne droplets are more likely to spread coronavirus than touch, scientists believe
January 2021
GPs in England see big drop in common cold and flu cases
Exclusive: coronavirus restrictions and increased uptake of flu vaccine is likely explanation, say experts
August 2020
Lockdown reduces cases of flu, colds and bronchitis in England
Measures to minimise spread of Covid-19 help relieve pressure on NHS, monitoring suggests
January 2020
Stay in bed or struggle in? How to know when to go back to work after an illness
If you come into the office with a cold or a bug, your boss may be happy, but your co-workers won’t thank you. GPs offer their advice on when to stay at home and when to struggle in
September 2019
Notes and queries
Does rest really help you recover from a cold?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
January 2019
Seven ways
Seven ways to beat a sore throat this winter
Lay off the hot drinks, suck ice lollies or gargle with salt water. And, above all, don’t assume you need antibiotics
May 2018
New chemical compound 'stops common cold in its tracks'
Scientists working on human cells in a dish find new way to tackle rhinovirus – though a cure is a long way off
November 2017
Notes and queries
What does the cold virus get in return for making its host feel grotty?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts
October 2017
The Audio Long Read
Why can’t we cure the common cold? – podcast
After thousands of years of failure, some scientists believe a breakthrough might finally be in sight
The Simone Lia cartoon
Simone Lia on the common cold
They don’t elicit much sympathy…
The long read
Why can’t we cure the common cold?
The long read: After thousands of years of failure, some scientists believe a breakthrough might finally be in sight
