A cold is caught by inhaling the virus from someone sneezing close by, or by touching your nose, eyes or mouth after you have touched something contaminated with the virus.

The flu is caught when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends minute flu viruses into the air for other people to breathe in.

The chill theory and the viral theory

Experts denote 2 further theories as to how the cold and flu viruses spread.

The chill theory tells us that there is a higher incidence of colds and flu in the winter, therefore infection is down to the cold weather.

The viral theory is contrary to this in that it says colds are caught more frequently in winter because people spend more time indoors with other people and with heating on high, providing an easy and vibrant environment in which foreign organisms can breed and spread.

Ultimately, if our immune system is at its strongest and performing at its best possible level, it would be able to fight such occurrences, no matter what the origins.