Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (2024)

The common cold is marked by waves of symptoms as it runs its course. Here’s what to expect during each stage of a cold.

By

Beth Gilbert

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (1)

by

Allison Buttarazzi, MDofAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (2)

Keeping a few things on hand can make weathering a cold a lot easier: cough medicine, tissues, a thermometer to check your temperature, and hot cups of tea.

Yesterday you felt fine, but today your nose is running and your throat feels scratchy. Could be the first symptoms of a cold, which typically appear in adults about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

How are you likely to feel the rest of your week? Most often, symptoms of a cold crest around day four, and go away on their own within 7 to 10 days, says Aaron E.Glatt, MD, the chief of infectious diseases and a hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York.

Keep in mind that while seasonal colds peak in the winter and spring, it is possible to get one any time of the year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cold symptoms vary from person to person and can include:

  • Sore or scratchy throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Headache
  • Aching joints
  • Fatigue

Be aware that a cold’s contagious period has its own life span; it usually starts one or two days before cold symptoms kick in and continues as long as you have symptoms, according toCedars-Sinai. So it’s important to prevent spreading the infection by washing your hands frequently, fully covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and not touching others if at all possible.

What are the stages of a cold? Typically there are three.

Days 1 and 2: Stuffiness, Sore Throat, and Runny Nose

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (3)

“Although you can have a cold start with a number of different symptoms, the most common first symptoms are congestion, runny nose, and sore throat, signs that the virus is directly affecting your respiratory system,” says Nate Favini, MD, an internist and the medical director of the nationwide healthcare system Forward,who is based in San Francisco.

In this first stage of a cold, it’s especially important to rest as much as possible to minimize fatigue and keep your immune system at full power.

Days 3 to 5: Cough and More Nasal Congestion

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (4)

During the next stage of a cold, nasal symptoms continue to develop, peaking during the third and fourth days. You may notice that mucus from your runny nose has become thicker, with a yellow or green tinge. This usually is due to a spike in the number of white blood cells your immune system has dispatched to overcome the virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. As you get better over the next few days, the discharge tends to clear up. In the meantime, however, a cough may develop in response to postnasal drip, says Dr. Favini.

People often assume that the discolored mucus is a sign of a bacterial infection, and so antibiotics are what they need — but this is a common misconception, the Mayo Clinic notes. The discolored mucus is actually a normal part of the course of the common cold, which is a viral infection and will not respond to antibiotics.

Days 6 and 7: Symptoms Ease

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (5)

The average duration of a cold is 7 to 10 days, and most people recover without any specifictreatment. But cold symptoms may last longer or become more severe in people who have immune problems or other underlying health issues, such as diabetes, says Soma Mandal, MD, an internist with Summit Health in New Providence, New Jersey. If you have a medical condition that puts you at increased risk for complications, reach out to your healthcare provider.

Be aware that it may take up to six weeks for a cough to disappear even after other symptoms fade, Dr. Mandal says. Usually, this is due to postnasal drip, which can continue to form while swollen and irritated nasal passages heal, she explains.

Beyond a Week: Could It Be Something Else?

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (6)

If you’ve been nursing a cold but haven’t gotten better after a week, if cold symptoms return often, or if you had started to feel better only to have symptoms then worsen again, you may be dealing withallergiesor asinus infectionrather than a cold.

Symptoms commonly associated with allergies, which can last months, include:

  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Clear runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Postnasal drip
  • Dry cough

Symptoms of a sinus infection, which can last anywhere from one to three months or more, can include:

  • Nasal congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Pressure or pain around the eyes and forehead
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Tooth or jaw pain when chewing (especially of the upper jaw)
  • Persistent nasal discharge

If you suspect allergies or a sinus infection, Dr. Glatt recommends seeing your doctor to get a complete evaluation.

Distinguishing Between Cold, COVID-19, and the Flu

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (7)

It can be difficult to tell these illnesses apart because they share so many traits. What’s more, because they are caused by different germs that affect the respiratory system, it’s possible — although rare — for them to overlap. In other words, you could have more than one ailment at the same time, according to the CDC.

In general, CDC experts say, flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly rather than build up gradually as they do with the common cold. Flu symptoms are also more intense and last longer.

Symptoms of COVID-19 also tend to develop a bit more gradually and can include ones not typically seen with a cold or the flu, such as diarrhea and a new loss of taste or smell, according to the CDC.

As always, call your medical provider if any symptoms become severe or concerning to you. Be especially aware of the emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Someone showing any of the following signs should seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake up or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Additional reporting by Nuna Alberts.

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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

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As an infectious disease expert with a particular focus on respiratory infections, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the discussion on the common cold. My expertise extends from academic training to hands-on clinical work, allowing me to offer insights into the nuances of viral infections, symptom progression, and differentiation from other respiratory illnesses.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article, providing a comprehensive overview:

1. Cold Symptoms and Duration:

  • The common cold is caused by exposure to a cold-causing virus, with symptoms appearing 1 to 3 days post-exposure.
  • Symptoms typically peak around day four and resolve within 7 to 10 days.
  • Cold symptoms include a sore or scratchy throat, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headache, aching joints, and fatigue.
  • The contagious period begins 1 to 2 days before symptoms and lasts as long as the symptoms persist.

2. Stages of a Cold:

  • Days 1 and 2: Stiffness, sore throat, and runny nose. Rest is crucial to minimize fatigue and support the immune system.
  • Days 3 to 5: Continued nasal symptoms with thickening mucus, potentially discolored due to increased white blood cells. A cough may develop.
  • Days 6 and 7: Symptoms begin to ease, and most people recover without specific treatment.

3. Prolonged Symptoms and Possible Complications:

  • Cough may persist for up to six weeks due to postnasal drip.
  • Individuals with immune problems or underlying health issues may experience prolonged or more severe symptoms.

4. Differentiating from Allergies and Sinus Infections:

  • Allergies may present with itchy or watery eyes, clear runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, and dry cough.
  • Sinus infection symptoms include nasal congestion, sore throat, eye and forehead pressure, fatigue, fever, tooth or jaw pain, and persistent nasal discharge.

5. Distinguishing Between Cold, COVID-19, and Flu:

  • Flu symptoms come on suddenly, are more intense, and last longer than cold symptoms.
  • COVID-19 symptoms may develop gradually and include unique signs such as diarrhea, loss of taste or smell.
  • Overlapping illnesses are rare but possible, so symptoms may be mixed.

6. Emergency Warning Signs for COVID-19:

  • Difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, bluish lips or face.

7. Additional Recommendations:

  • Hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact, help prevent the spread of the infection.

The article is well-supported by reliable sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cedars-Sinai, and Mayo Clinic. This information provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, managing, and differentiating the stages of a cold, as well as recognizing potential complications and distinguishing it from other respiratory conditions like allergies and sinus infections.

Stages of the Common Cold: Your Day-by-Day Guide (2024)
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