Why do you have cold after cold?

Answer 1

Sometimes it is just a matter of frequently being in places where there are viruses that cause the common cold. Around groups of young children and toddlers for example, where the common cold viruses are not only present but they are being smeared and spread all around the area and the young children are not yet able to understand the need for using proper cough and sneeze etiquette.

If you are a smoker or are exposed to second hand smoke, that can cause the tissues in the respiratory system to be irritated and more easily breached by the viruses, resulting in more bouts of the cold viruses.

You would probably have more frequent infections of all types and not just frequent colds if your immune system is deficient, but that could be a cause in some people and a work up by the physician and physical exam might be in order.

If you do not practice good hand washing and always avoid having your fingers in or near your mouth (don't bite your nails), eyes or nose, then you could need to brush up on and be more diligent about protecting yourself. See the related questions below for more information.