WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE COMMON COLD?
Common cold symptoms typically appear in stages. The common cold stages include early, active and late.
Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3)
Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. Other common cold symptoms you may experience during this early stage include:
Sneezing.
Runny nose.
Stuffy nose (nasal congestion).
Cough.
Hoarseness.
Stage 2: Active (Days 4 to 7)
Symptoms typically worsen or peak during this stage. In addition to the symptoms in stage 1, you may experience:
Body aches.
Headache.
Runny eyes and nose.
Fatigue.
Fever (more common in children).
Stage 3: Late (Days 8 to 10)
Colds usually begin to wind down during this stage. You may be free and clear at this point. But some symptoms can persist. Some people develop a nagging cough that can last up to two months after a respiratory infection.
If your symptoms get worse and/or your fever returns, make a trip to a healthcare provider. You may have developed another infection or a complication, such as bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE COMMON COLD?
Common cold symptoms typically appear in stages. The common cold stages include early, active and late.
Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3)
Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. Other common cold symptoms you may experience during this early stage include:
Sneezing.
Runny nose.
Stuffy nose (nasal congestion).
Cough.
Hoarseness.
Stage 2: Active (Days 4 to 7)
Symptoms typically worsen or peak during this stage. In addition to the symptoms in stage 1, you may experience:
Body aches.
Headache.
Runny eyes and nose.
Fatigue.
Fever (more common in children).
Stage 3: Late (Days 8 to 10)
Colds usually begin to wind down during this stage. You may be free and clear at this point. But some symptoms can persist. Some people develop a nagging cough that can last up to two months after a respiratory infection.
If your symptoms get worse and/or your fever returns, make a trip to a healthcare provider. You may have developed another infection or a complication, such as bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
