Sneezing, coughing , fatigue, as soon as the cold arrives, it is no longer surprising to catch a cold . Yet, we still learn about this little virus! We take stock.

A cold vaccine is under study

Until now, it was mission impossible. How to imagine a vaccine that can fight against the two hundred viruses that are responsible for cold symptoms? It's a lot more complicated than the flu, which is not 100% effective and needs to be reformulated every year. For the first time, at the American University of Emory, Atlanta (USA), researchers assembled 50 rhinoviruses in the same vaccine to see if it could work. Indeed, it works. This bodes well for the coming winters.

The cold is contagious? We know more.

And the cold is finally relatively contagious *. Even sick, we can do the kiss, it does not change anything. To catch a rhinovirus, you need prolonged and close contact. Like sleeping with a cold, or put your hands on a contaminated area (a handful) without washing your hands in stride.

To know: we are contagious the two days preceding the symptoms and during the first sneezing.

Myths about colds die hard

"Catch yourself, you'll catch cold." If the cold viruses like the cold season it is not because we are not dressed that one catches one. Symptoms can occur, but for a shorter duration than the usual 4-7 days of illness. On the other hand being cold can lower the immune defenses and make us more sensitive to viruses that roam around the corner. So anyway, we open well as soon as temperatures drop.

* Common cold center, Cardiff University.