Which of the statements listed below is true about common cold?

Options

A. Common cold is not contagious
B. The common cold virus does not have its own genetic material.
C. Common cold usually takes two months to clear up.
D. The common cold virus can leave the body through the mucus of infected people.

Explanation

To determine which statement about the common cold is true, we will analyze each statement one by one:

1. **Common cold is not contagious.**
- This statement is false. The common cold is a contagious viral infection. It spreads from one person to another through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

2. **The common cold virus does not have its own genetic material.**
- This statement is also false. The common cold is caused by viruses known as Rhinoviruses, which do have genetic material. Specifically, they contain their genetic information on a single strand of RNA.

3. **Common cold usually takes two months to clear up.**
- This statement is incorrect. The common cold typically lasts for about 3 to 7 days, not two months.

4. **The common cold virus can leave the body through the mucus of infected people.**
- This statement is true. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus is expelled in mucus. This mucus can trap the viruses and help expel them from the body.

Based on this analysis, the correct statement about the common cold is the fourth one: **"The common cold virus can leave the body through the mucus of infected people."**