Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Infection; URI; Coryza) By Brenda L Tesini, MD, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Reviewed / Revised Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Key Points The common cold is an acute, usually afebrile, self-limited viral infection causing upper respiratory symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, cough, and sore throat.