We’ve all experienced the aggravations of the common cold: the stuffy nose, the sore throat and the pestering cough.

Here are some characteristics of a cold that you should consider:

Over-the-counter cold medicines can’t get rid of your cold faster, but they may be able to ease its symptoms.

These same over-the-counter cold medicines should not be given to children under the age of 6.

A cold will typically last anywhere from 7 to 10 days. If you have a weakened immune system or lung condition, however, a simple cold can lead to more severe condition like pneumonia.

If your cold is restricting your breathing, you should call your doctor if symptoms worsen or fail to improve after 10 days.

It is estimated that children and adults in the U.S. experience over 1 billion colds per year.

Yogurt contains active cultures that might actually help prevent colds.

Colds are the most common cause of wheezing among children with asthma.

More than 200 viruses can cause colds, but the rhinovirus is the most common culprit among them.

You should cough or sneeze into a tissue and then discard it right away.

Colds are most often spread through contaminated droplets, either by touch or inhaled in the air.

Antibiotics don't work against viruses like a cold.

People are most contagious for the first two to three days of a cold. After the first week, colds often aren't contagious.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes of Health