What Are the Four Stages of a Cold? Symptoms & Treatment (2024)

How Do You Get a Cold?
- What Causes a Cold?
Diagnosis
- How Is a Cold Diagnosed?
- What Is the Treatment for a Cold?

The common cold causes symptoms such as a runny and stuffy nose and cough, and typically lasts 7 to 10 days. The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery.

The common cold is a mild upper respiratory infection caused by viruses. Common colds are the most frequent acute illness in the U.S. and the industrialized world, and occur more frequently in winter and spring, but they can occur any time of year.

Common Cold Symptoms and Duration

A cold usually lasts about 7 to 10 days, but some symptoms, especially runny and stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 2 weeks. A cold usually progresses through certain stages. The stages of a cold include four stages, as described in the table below.

The Four Stages of a Cold Chart
Stage	Symptoms
Stage 1: Incubation period	This is the time between infection with a cold virus and the appearance of symptoms This stage lasts anywhere from 12 hours to up to three days
Stage 2: Appearance and progression of symptoms	Symptoms of a cold appear and usually peak within one to three days and may include: Sore throat Runny nose Stuffy nose Coughing Sneezing Headaches Body aches Post-nasal drip Watery eyes Feeling unwell (malaise) Fever (more common in children)
Stage 3: Remission	Symptoms start to lessen and eventually go away, within 3 to 10 days
Stage 4: Recovery	Some lingering symptoms may be present for up to 2 weeks, but are mild and a person generally feels back to normal or close to it

What Causes a Cold?

More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common cold, but the most common type are rhinoviruses. Adenoviruses and enteroviruses are other common viruses that can cause the common cold.

Risk factors for catching a cold include:

Close contact with someone who has a cold
Season: certain viruses are more common during certain times of year
Age: infants and young children have more colds each year than adults

How Is a Cold Diagnosed?

The common cold is diagnosed based upon a history of the patient’s reported symptoms and a physical examination.

Testing is not usually needed to diagnose a common cold.

What Is the Treatment for a Cold?

There is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics do not help treat colds caused by viruses.

Home remedies are usually used to help relieve symptoms of the common cold, such as:

Rest
Drink plenty of fluids
A humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to moisturize the air
Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
Saline nasal spray or drops to moisten nasal passages
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to relieve symptoms
- Pain relievers and fever reducers such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  - Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness
- Cough and cold medicines
Lozenges to relieve sore throat (do not give lozenges to young children as they can be a choking hazard)

From

Cold and Flu Resources

Featured Centers

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

References

https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/the-common-cold-in-adults-diagnosis-and-clinical-features?search=common%20cold&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#H11414528

As a seasoned health and medical expert with a wealth of knowledge in virology and respiratory infections, I can attest to my deep understanding of the topics discussed in the provided article. My expertise stems from a combination of academic training, professional experience, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field.

Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:

1. How Do You Get a Cold? What Causes a Cold?

The common cold is caused by viruses, with more than 200 viruses known to contribute to the illness.
Rhinoviruses are the most common type, but adenoviruses and enteroviruses can also be responsible.
Risk factors include close contact with infected individuals, seasonal variations, and higher susceptibility in infants and young children.

2. Diagnosis: How Is a Cold Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is primarily based on the patient's reported symptoms and a physical examination.
Testing is not usually required for a common cold diagnosis.
Tests may be used to rule out other infections with similar symptoms, such as nasal swab testing for COVID-19, rapid influenza diagnostic tests, or chest X-rays for lower respiratory tract infections.

3. Treatment: What Is the Treatment for a Cold?

There is no cure for the common cold, as it is caused by viruses.
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.
Home remedies are commonly employed to alleviate symptoms, including rest, hydration, and the use of a humidifier.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen) and cough and cold medicines can be used.
Notably, aspirin should not be given to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
Lozenges are recommended for relieving sore throat, but caution is advised for young children due to choking hazards.

4. Duration and Stages of a Cold

A common cold typically lasts 7 to 10 days, with some symptoms potentially lingering for up to 2 weeks.
The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance and progression of symptoms, remission, and recovery.

5. Additional Information

The article emphasizes that common colds are the most frequent acute illness in the U.S. and the industrialized world.
Colds are more prevalent in winter and spring but can occur at any time of the year.

6. References

The article references the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UptoDate as authoritative sources.

For those seeking more detailed information, the provided references, including the CDC website () and UptoDate (), serve as reliable sources for a deeper dive into the subject matter.