Risk factors

These factors can increase your chances of getting a cold:

• Age. Infants and young children are at greatest risk of colds, especially if they spend time in child care settings.
• Weakened immune system. Having a chronic illness or otherwise weakened immune system increases your risk.
• Time of year. Both children and adults are more likely to get colds in fall and winter, but you can get a cold anytime.
• Smoking. You're more likely to catch a cold and to have more-severe colds if you smoke or are around secondhand smoke.
• Exposure. If you're around crowds, such as at school or on an airplane, you're likely to be exposed to viruses that cause colds.