That 'sniffy' time of year

It's that time of the year again, when your nose tingles and your throat aches. Sneezing and sniffing your way to work and back, amen, the joy of winter. Please don't forget fits of vomiting and diarrhea that come along in case you're stricken by a case of stomach flu (or gastroenteritis). I feel a need for a Wikipedia quote:

"Common symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough; sometimes accompanied by muscle aches, fatigue, malaise, headache, muscle weakness, or loss of appetite. Fever and extreme exhaustion are more usual in influenza. The symptoms of a cold usually resolve after about one week, but can last up to 14 days."

This time of year is also the time the dark draws in much faster and nights become colder. With the prospect of cozier days to come (Christmas anyone?), one might leave the discomforts of common cold behind and snuggle into the couch with a big ol' blanky in front of a movie with a nice mug of hot chocolate...

PS: The monstrosity illustrated above is a Rhinovirus, which causes most common colds.