Are colds contagious?

Are colds contagious?

Colds spread from person to person. For you to become infected, the virus has to get to one of your mucous membranes — the moist lining of the nostrils, eyes or mouth. That happens when you touch a surface or breathe moist air that contains the cold virus.

For example, when a sick person sneezes or coughs, droplets of fluid containing the cold virus are launched into the air. If you breathe in those droplets, the cold virus takes root in your nose. You can also leave virus particles on surfaces you touch when you’re sick. If someone else touches those surfaces and then touches their nostrils, eyes or mouth, the virus can get in.