How are colds spread?

Colds are spread in two ways: When someone with a cold sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets containing the virus can travel as far as 12 feet at a speed of up to 100 mph. People nearby may breathe in the virus-filled droplets or touch a surface that they land on.

A person with a cold can also spread the virus by coughing, sneezing or blowing his nose and then touching a common surface such as a stair railing, doorknob or telephone. Rhinoviruses, which most commonly cause colds, can live up to three hours on such surfaces. When someone touches an infected surface and then touches his own eyes or nose, he can infect himself.