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Key takeaways
Cold symptoms typically appear 1-3 days after exposure to the virus and can last from 3 to 10 days, with adults experiencing an average of 2-3 colds annually.
Viruses like rhinovirus cause colds and are highly contagious, especially in the early stages.
The stages of a cold include the incubation period, the appearance and progression of symptoms, and recovery. Most people feel better within 7-10 days.
Prevention methods include regular handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and disinfecting surfaces. Treatment focuses on rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications.
Sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat—oh my! Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, or the common cold, can have you feeling downright miserable. Between blowing your nose and downing cough drops, you might wonder how long your cold will last. After exposure to the cold virus, you may start seeing symptoms within one to three days, with symptoms peaking in another one to three days. Cold symptoms typically last anywhere from three to 10 days. Continue reading to learn more about the common cold.
What causes a cold?
Growing up, did your parents tell you not to go outside with wet hair, especially in wet or cold weather? Colds are not caused by being cold and/or wet. Although it is best to go to sleep with dry hair to avoid certain fungal infections and other problems, going outside with wet hair will not cause a cold. A virus must be involved for you to develop a cold. In the fall and winter, when the weather is cold, people are closer to one another indoors—at school, work, gatherings, and other indoor events. The low humidity also causes nasal passages to dry out, making people more susceptible to catching a virus. So, you are more likely to get sick when it is cold outside, but it’s more likely that you will catch a cold indoors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common colds are the main reason for missed school and work. There are millions of cases in the United States annually, with adults averaging two or three colds per year and children averaging even more.
The cold is most often caused by a respiratory virus called rhinovirus. These viruses can also trigger asthma attacks and may be associated with sinus and ear infections. Other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus, can also cause colds.
Cold symptoms
Common cold symptoms include:
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing
You may also experience the following symptoms, depending on which virus caused your cold:
- Cough
- Appetite loss
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
The flu, caused by influenza viruses, often causes illness around the same time as the common cold. Because they cause similar symptoms, it may be difficult to tell if you have a cold or the flu. However, the flu usually has more severe symptoms than a cold. Flu symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, and extreme tiredness. Because the flu can have serious complications, getting a yearly flu vaccine is important.
Colds are very contagious, especially in the first two to four days after symptoms begin, and can even spread for several weeks after symptoms start. Colds can spread from person-to-person contact or by breathing in virus particles. These particles can travel up to 12 feet in the air from coughs and sneezes. You can also get a cold if you touch a contaminated surface, like a doorknob, then touch your mouth or nose.
What are the stages of a cold?
The stages of a cold include:
Incubation period
The first stage is called the incubation period. An incubation period is the time from exposure to the organism that causes illness, such as a virus in the case of a common cold, to the time it takes for an infection to develop. The incubation period ends when symptoms appear. For a common cold, the incubation period is typically from one to three days.
Appearance and progression of symptoms
After the incubation period, the appearance of symptoms begins. The first symptoms of a cold may include a scratchy or sore throat, followed by sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and a general feeling of illness. Colds generally do not cause a fever. Common colds may cause a mild cough lasting up to several weeks. Most cold symptoms resolve within 10 days. People with certain medical conditions, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, may have an exacerbation of their condition that is brought on by the cold.
Recovery
Most individuals recover from the common cold within seven to 10 days. However, some individuals with compromised immune systems, asthma, or other lung/breathing conditions may be more likely to develop serious illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider if you should get a pneumonia vaccine, especially if you are 65 years or older or have other medical conditions. Babies and young children also need a pneumonia vaccine.
What is the best way to treat a cold?
Most colds resolve in several days, but in the meantime, you can:
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink lots of fluids, such as water, tea, and chicken soup
- Use a cool mist humidifier
- Use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines: You should consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure you are using a safe drug. Do not use cough or cold medications in children unless your pediatrician approves.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not work to treat viral infections like the common cold. However, in some cases, individuals with a cold may develop a sinus infection, ear infection, or other bacterial infections. The health care provider will prescribe an antibiotic when an infection is bacterial. There are many different treatment options, such as amoxicillin, Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), or Zithromax (azithromycin). The choice of antibiotic will be based on the symptoms, type of infection, medical history, allergies to medications, other health issues, medications the patient is taking, and other considerations.
What are the best ways to prevent getting a cold?
Although there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, some tips to help prevent illness include:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Viruses can easily get in through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid sick people.
If you have a cold, you can take steps to help prevent infecting others with the virus:
- Stay home from work (and children should stay home from school or daycare when sick).
- Avoid close contact with others, especially when coughing or sneezing.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then discard the tissue. Or, you can cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve of your shirt, making sure you completely cover the mouth and nose. Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, like doorknobs, countertops, and mobile phones.
When to see a doctor
For adults, consult your medical provider if:
- You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Your symptoms last for longer than 10 days.
- Your symptoms are severe or unusual.
- You are at high risk for complications and have symptoms that may indicate the flu, such as fever, chills, and body aches. High-risk individuals include children under five, older adults (65 years and older), pregnant women, and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart problems.
For children, consult your child’s healthcare provider for professional medical advice if they have the following:
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher in an infant two months or younger
- A high fever (102°F or higher)
- Blue lips, difficulty breathing, fast breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing
- Severe headache
- Appetite loss with dehydration symptoms such as decreased urination
- Unusual crankiness or sleepiness
- Ear pain
- Worsening symptoms of any kind
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