Why Do Anime Characters Always Get Colds [and Collapse from Them]?

You know the scene. It starts with a sneeze or a chill, usually after being caught in the rain. Next, the character collapses into unconsciousness. Sometimes this happens in the classroom; other times it happens during some emotional event, such as a kokuhaku. The character’s friends and love interest rush to their side. They call ambulances or rush the character to the school infirmary. What could it be? A heart problem? Some other fatal illness?

How about a cold?

The cold-flu-fever episode ap...