Cold Symptoms

Common cold symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, and cough. These cold symptoms usually last from 1 to 2 weeks. Cold symptoms that last longer than this may be an indication of allergies rather than a cold. In rare cases, cold symptoms can lead to complications or to a more serious illness.

 

Cold Symptoms: An Overview

Nearly everyone is familiar with the first common cold symptoms -- sneezing, scratchy throat, and runny nose. Common cold symptoms are usually mild and typically last 1 to 2 weeks. However, the common cold is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
 

Common Cold Symptoms

Cold symptoms usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection. Common cold symptoms include:
 
  • Mucus buildup in your nose
  • Difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Swelling of your sinuses
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Headache.
     
A fever resulting from a common cold is usually slight, but can climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and young children.
 
Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days, but like most people, you'll probably recover in about a week. If common cold symptoms occur often or last longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy rather than a cold.
 

Complications of Cold Symptoms

Complications of the common cold can sometimes lead to bacterial infections of your middle ear (otitis media) or sinuses (sinusitis), requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus may indicate a complication or a more serious illness requiring a visit to your healthcare provider.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD