This page may be out of date. Save your draft before refreshing this page. Submit any pending changes before refreshing this page. Hide this message . Quora Sign In Colds and the Common Cold Cold Health Medicine and Healthcare If a cold is caused by a virus, why do you usually catch it when it's cold? Update Cancel Promoted by MSW@USC Earn your MSW online. Earn your Master of Social Work with USC in as little as 1 year with a BSW. Learn More at msw.usc.edu 13 Answers Shreya Thacker , Physical and Respiratory Therapist Answered Oct 2 First, two facts about the nature of the spread of the virus and its physical structure — The flu and the common cold viruses spread via droplet infection i.e. when we sneeze, cough, exhale, or drip the viruses from the lungs are carried in the tens of thousands of respiratory secretions that are expelled from the mouth and the nose onto the next pers...