Acute viral nasopharyngitis, commonly known as the common cold, has several synonyms that can be used to describe the illness. These include acute coryza, acute rhinitis, and acute upper respiratory tract infection. Though each term has a slightly different emphasis, they all describe the same viral illness that causes symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion. The use of synonyms can help to clarify medical information for patients and allow for more accurate communication between healthcare providers. No matter the terminology used, it is important to take proper precautions to prevent the spread of this highly contagious illness.