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---
title: Why Don’t We Have a Cure for the Common Cold?
description: Even though the common cold is the primary reason American adults miss work and kids miss school, there's still no cure. Here's why
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author: TIME Staff
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article:published_time: 2015-06-25T11:23:13.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-02-22T08:31:23.639Z
article:section: Health
og:title: Why Don’t We Have a Cure for the Common Cold?
og:description: Even though the common cold is the primary reason American adults miss work and kids miss school, there's still no cure. Here's why
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twitter:description: Even though the common cold is the primary reason American adults miss work and kids miss school, there's still no cure. Here's why
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# Why Don't We Have a Cure for the Common Cold?

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## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

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| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
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Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
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### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

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#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

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### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=da056cf9-93ed-42cd-b8b6-e3193e768174&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

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by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Jun 25, 2015 11:23 AM UTC

by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Jun 25, 2015 11:23 AM UTC

1

TOO MANY VIRUSES

What we know to be the common cold is actually hundreds of strains of viruses, many falling within the large family called a rhinovirus. In a typical year, there are three to four flu strains to look out for, but there can be 20 to 30 strains of rhinoviruses circulating.

$40 BILLION

AMOUNT THE COLD COSTS THE U.S. ECONOMY, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE COST OF HEART FAILURE

2

HARD TO VACCINATE AND TREAT

We’re usually protected from viruses through vaccination, but it’s nearly impossible to develop an annual vaccine for cold-causing viruses because there are too many and they change often. Rhinoviruses fall under three categories: A, B and C. While there is research in drug development for types A and B, research for C viruses is further behind.

3

LACK OF INCENTIVE

Compared with those of other infectious diseases, the symptoms of the common cold are rather benign, and a cold is rarely fatal. The runny nose and sore throat we experience are actually side effects from our immune system’s attack on the virus to make us better.

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