The common cold is one of the most common acute illnesses. When we have one, we literally experience the feeling of coldness, secrete mucous via our nose, and cough and sneeze in order to prevent the nasal discharge from entering the lungs.
Colds are also often accompanied by sore throats (acute pharyngitis) due to the inflammation of the pharynx, which is the membrane-lined cavity that connects our mouth and nose with the esophagus. The symptoms of a sore throat are very similar to the symptoms of tonsillitis.
