Cough and cold are two of the most common medical ailments that affect the human body and are widely prevalent among the entire population worldwide. The common cold is actually a virally transmitted disease that is infectious and occurs in the upper respiratory tract, thereby affecting the nose. Coughing is one of the symptoms of common cold, the others being runny nose, sore throat and fever. An attack of common cold lasts anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. While there is no specific cure for the common cold, its symptoms can be treated to a certain extent. In India, symptoms of common cold affect people across the length and breadth of the country. While a visit to the doctor is usually undertaken in more serious cases, most people resort to home-grown remedies and over-the-counter medication to counter its effects. Steam inhalation, gargling with hot water and drinking piping hot tea and coffee are some of the most commonly practiced home-grown remedies of the disease. Cough syrups, zinc supplements and Vitamin C are some effective medications for curing the common cold. Hide this