Common Cold

The common cold is a contagious infection caused by a virus. It affects your nose, sinuses and throat. It’s called “common” because it’s easy to pass on to others. It takes 12 hours to three days for symptoms to show up after exposure. So, spreading a cold a day or two before any signs appear is possible. And once you have symptoms, you can be contagious for up to two weeks.

Adults typically get two or three colds each year. Children at school or in daycare often get more. Most common colds produce mild symptoms that go away within seven to 10 days without medical treatment.

Over 200 different viruses can cause the common cold. More than 100 of these viruses are the rhinoviruses responsible for roughly 50 percent of common cold cases. All viruses that cause the common cold enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. They spread to other people through:

• Direct physical contact
• Droplets in the air from coughs, sneezes or talking
• Infected objects like shared dishes, glasses, phones or toys
• Touching your face after contact with a virus

Contrary to a popular misconception, being out in cold weather doesn’t cause a cold. But colds do happen more often during the fall and winter months. They may be more common at that time because:

• Cold air has low humidity, creating dry nasal passages that are more vulnerable to viruses.
• People stay indoors in closer contact, making it easier to spread viruses.
• Schools are in session, creating more opportunities for viruses to spread.

The common cold can affect anyone. But these factors increase your risk of getting sick:

• Age. Babies and young children, especially those who spend time in large childcare or school settings, are at higher risk.
• Exposure. Being around a lot of people can boost your chances of catching a cold.
• Smoking. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke raise your risk.
• Time of year. Colds are more common during the fall and winter.
• Weakened immune system. Weakened immune systems from a long-term illness or cancer treatment can increase your risk of getting a cold.

Common colds have early, middle and late stages. Different symptoms show up depending on the stage.

Early stage

Within three days of exposure to a virus, you may experience:

• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

Middle stage

Between days 4 and 7, your symptoms may worsen and include:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny nose and eyes

Late stage

Most symptoms disappear between days 8 and 10. You may have a cough that lingers for up to two months.

Children and babies can experience a different set of symptoms. Common signs in this group include:

• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing due to sore throat
• Fever of 101°F to 102°F
• Irritability
• Increased drooling due to sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Runny nose (mucus may start clear and become thicker with a green, grey or yellow tint)
• Sneezing
• Swollen glands

Most common colds go away on their own without any treatment. But if your symptoms continue or get worse, you’ll need to see a healthcare provider.

Adults who experience these symptoms should seek medical care:

• Fever higher than 101.3°F that lingers more than three days
• Fever that returns after going away
• Severe headache
• Severe sinus pain
• Severe sore throat

Children should see their pediatrician immediately if these signs appear:

• Blue lips
• Cough that lasts more than three weeks
• Difficulty breathing
• Ear pain
• Excessive drowsiness or crankiness
• Fever of 100.4°F in newborns up to 12 weeks
• Loss of appetite
• Rising fever or fever lasting more than two days
• Severe headache
• Severe sore throat
• Wheezing

A physical exam is usually enough to diagnose the common cold. During your visit, our providers will check for these signs:

• Crackling or wheezing sounds in your lungs
• Inflammation in your nostrils
• Red, irritated throat
• Stuffy nose
• Swollen lymph nodes

If our providers suspect you have another illness, like COVID-19 or the flu, they may recommend additional tests. They may perform a nasal swab test (rubbing a soft-tipped stick in your nose to collect and test mucus) or request chest X-rays to rule out any other conditions.

There is no cure for the common cold. The viruses must run their course. Fortunately, most cases clear up on their own within seven to 10 days. Antibiotics can’t treat the common cold because bacteria do not cause these infections.

Although you can’t speed up your recovery, you can take steps to control your symptoms. Our providers recommend these over-the-counter medications to manage your discomfort:

• Antihistamines. Antihistamines can dry up a runny nose and stop sneezing.
• Cough suppressants. Cough suppressants can relieve coughing. Pediatricians don’t recommend these medications for children under 5.
• Decongestants. Decongestants can open up a stuffy nose and relieve sinus pressure.
• Expectorants. Expectorants loosen up and thin out mucus, making it easier to cough up.
• Pain relievers. Pain relievers can reduce your headache and fever.

In addition to these medications, our providers also recommend these self-care behaviors:

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Water is best.
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve pain from a sore throat (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 4 to 8 ounces of water).
• Get plenty of sleep to help your body fight infection.
• Humidify the air to relieve a stuffy nose.
• Soothe your sore throat with ice chips, hard candy or lozenges.

Healthy hygiene behaviors are the best way to prevent catching a cold. These steps include:

• Boost your immune system. Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get enough sleep to keep your immune system strong enough to fight infection.
• Clean surfaces. Viruses can live on surfaces. Disinfect the places you touch frequently, like doorknobs or tables.
• Don’t touch your face. Viruses enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth. Limit their access by keeping your hands away from your face.
• Stay home. If you’re sick, stay home from work or school. You can’t spread the virus if you aren’t around other people.
• Use hand sanitizer. If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill viruses and bacteria.
• Wash your hands. Always wash your hands before eating or touching food. Be sure to wash your hands after every trip to the bathroom and after encountering someone who is sick.