Most people know that the flu can kill. Indeed, the so-called Spanish flu killed 50 million people in 1918—more than were killed in the first world war. But what about the common cold? Can you really catch your death?
The cold is a collection of symptoms—coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, tiredness and perhaps a fever—rather than a defined disease. Although it shares a lot with the initial symptoms with the flu, it's a very different infection.
Timely article, 2 Greys! Christmas Day, 70 degrees outside, the trees are budding out, and I'm having my usual spring-like pollen-induced runny nose and general "I don't feel well...I think I'm going to die" head cold! ..four days into 😷 Winter. Really? Unreal! when in my part of this big ole continent, we're usually well below 50 degrees, and more often than not watching for snowflakes...arghhh! Just a 'vent! Thanks for allowing me! Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy Happy last days of 2019! 😷
Thanks 2 Greys. A good and informative post. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the Great Flu wipe out of 1919 could have been in effect a misnomer for a disastrous event of bronchiectasis compounded by the subsequent human privations of the First World War
Have you come across this theory in your substantial research, or am I in error? It seems to be an enormous re-attribution if there is any substance in this prognosis.
We were taught in dietitians' school that the flu epidemic after WWI was so devastating because of the high levels of stress people had been living under through wartime, which had left immune systems sorely depleted.
I think accumulated stress has been an element slowing my recovery from something viral/flu. I really felt close to breakdown before it started. Just trying to rest myself better, plus prednisolone of course, ....but seems to be one step forward, then two back. Dr says signs are definitely of progress but slow, so just give it more time.
I think catching your death were associated with pneumonia which can develop from lung infection which can result from common cold. So yes when complications occur from the common cold. They are hard pushed for a news story it seems. 
Happy Boxing day one and all.
It’s shame can’t catch good stuff as easy as can catch bad LIKE you don’t even have to try .. anyway HOWIS that for xmas analogy
For those of us who are immuno deficient, basically anything that goes bacterial can end up lethal. 🙁🙁 The common cold is usually a virus but viruses can lead to bacterial infections too as we all know so well.
Please can anyone recommend a cold weather face mask?
Common cold and LFTs
Violent Coughing from a cold...
Flying with or after a cold
