Is the common cold ancient or recent?

Question

For my Biology 11 course. Question detail:

Over a long period of time, a disease invariably becomes less and less harmful to average humans and causes fewer and fewer deaths as both host and disease agent adjust to each other. The common cold caused by a large groups of different viruses:

a) must be a recent disease.

b) must be an ancient disease.

c) cannot be classed as (a) or (b). We cannot tell because the host-parasite adjustment only occurs with bacteria.

d) none of the above.

Thanks!

Answer 1

the common cold isn't so common...every time you get a cold, it is a different cold.  Considering that the cold virus has been around for a long time, it could be considered ancient.  However, since it has adapted over time to various animals (including humans), it could be considered new every time it adapts.  I would say d, since I think that it is both a and b.

Answer 2

B.