Yes, You Can Die From a Cold

Normally, a common cold is not severe enough to kill you. However, it is possible to die from a cold if it puts you in a weakened state and makes you more susceptible to other infections. So the cold could kill you if it developed into a chest infection, then into pneumonia, especially for those who are very young, very old or those with other risk factors.

Adenoviruses

Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to complications of the flu. An estimated 36,000 people die each year of influenza-related complications. While adenoviruses (respiratory illness that can cause cold-like symptoms) rarely cause serious illness or death, infants and people with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection.

Ten years ago, a mutated version of a common cold virus caused 10 deaths in a period of 18 months, according to U.S. health officials. Adenoviruses usually cause respiratory infections that aren't deadly. But a new variant in 2007 caused at least 140 illnesses in New York, Oregon, Washington and Texas, according to a report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While most colds do not lead to death, it is important to know how to prevent colds, recognize common symptoms, and know when to see a doctor if symptoms persist or are getting worse.

To read more about how to prevent colds from becoming deadly, visit www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/about/symptoms.html