Stages of a Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract, and it primarily affects the nose and throat. It is quite normal for children to catch 6 to 10 colds per year, while adults typically catch 2 to 4 colds annually [*]. Knowing the stages of common cold can help with managing symptoms and potentially reducing the duration of illness.

In this article, we will discuss the duration of the common cold, its stages, effective treatment strategies, and address frequently asked questions.

How Long Do Colds Last?

The worst symptoms of the common cold are typically over within 7 days, although it may take a bit longer for all the symptoms to disappear completely. Cough, for instance, can be particularly stubborn and may linger even after other symptoms like a stuffy nose and sore throat have resolved.

While it can take up to 18 days for adults to completely recover from a cough, and this can persist for up to 3 weeks in children, if symptoms do not start to improve after one week, it would be advised to contact your primary care provider.

What are the Stages of a Cold?

The common cold typically progresses through three distinct stages, with symptoms evolving as the illness progresses.

Here’s a breakdown of each stage and how the signs and symptoms may change:

Day 1-3: Onset of Symptoms

The first stage of a common cold usually starts 1-3 days after exposure to the virus, following the incubation period.

The initial symptoms often include a sore throat, which feels scratchy or irritated, and is one of the first indicators that a cold is developing. Sore throat generally results from inflammation caused by the virus infecting the cells lining the throat.

Alongside the sore throat, individuals may experience a runny nose with clear, watery mucus that may gradually become thicker and more discolored.

Sneezing becomes more frequent as the body attempts to expel the virus and the nasal passages become inflamed. Nasal congestion often follows, leading to a feeling of stuffiness in the nasal passages.

Mild fatigue and a low-grade headache may also accompany these symptoms due to sinus pressure and the body's immune response.

At this stage, the immune system is actively responding to the virus, which causes inflammation and increased mucus production. It’s important to get plenty of rest during this stage to reduce fatigue. Rest helps the body to focus its energy on fighting the infection.

Day 4-7: Peak of Symptoms

During the second stage of a common cold, the discomfort typically intensifies. Nasal congestion becomes more severe, as the nasal passages swell and fill with mucus. Mucus may thicken and change color, ranging from yellow to green.

A cough may develop as the body tries to clear the thick mucus from the throat and airways. The irritation caused by the increased mucus and inflammation can also exacerbate the cough.

In some cases, a mild fever may appear, and individuals may experience increased fatigue and general malaise. The fever is usually low-grade or slightly above normal, typically ranging from 99.5°F to 100.3°F (37.5°C to 38.3°C) [*].

This is generally the most uncomfortable phase of the cold, but it usually lasts only a few days before symptoms begin to improve.

Day 8-10: Recovery Stage

During the third stage of a common cold, symptoms begin to gradually improve. Nasal congestion decreases, and mucus gradually becomes clearer and less thick.

Coughing may persist but tends to become less frequent and less severe. The sore throat and other symptoms such as fatigue and headaches diminish as the body’s immune response continues to clear the virus.

Although most symptoms subside, a lingering cough or mild nasal congestion might persist for a few more days. Overall, energy levels start to return to normal, which signals that the body is successfully recovering from the infection.

However, if symptoms persist beyond this timeframe, it could suggest something other than a common cold, such as allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) or that a person might have a background of nasal inflammation from allergic rhinitis with worsening nasal congestion symptoms after getting the common cold.

It’s important to note that allergic reactions can last as long as you are exposed to the allergen, and that symptoms continue for weeks or even months.

Keep in mind that allergic rhinitis does not cause a fever.

Related: Allergies vs. Colds: Which is It?

How is Common Cold Treated?

The treatment for the common cold focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the body's natural recovery process. Supportive measures and over-the-counter medications are needed, including preventive measures like good hygiene and getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of catching a cold in the future.

Supportive measures for managing the common cold include:

• Getting adequate rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids (water, herbal teas, broths)
• Using nasal saline sprays
• Gargling with warm saltwater to soothe a sore throat

Over-the-counter medications that can help manage symptoms include:

• Nasal sprays. Saline sprays moisturize and clear mucus, decongestant sprays reduce nasal swelling, steroid sprays decrease inflammation, and antihistamine sprays alleviate allergy-like symptoms.
• Pain or fever relievers. These can be useful for managing certain symptoms of the common cold, particularly if you experience discomfort or pain. While they don't cure the cold itself, they can help relieve pain from headaches and sore throat, and reduce fever. Examples include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Mucolytics. These will help break down and thin mucus in the respiratory tract so that it’s easier to expel. An over-the-counter option includes guaifenesin. Use these medications according to instructions and in consultation with a healthcare provider.
• Antitussives. By dampening the cough reflex, antitussives reduce the frequency of coughing episodes. Some antitussives also have soothing properties that reduce irritation in the throat.

These measures help relieve discomfort and support recovery, since most colds resolve on their own within a week to ten days.

When to See a Doctor

Consult with your doctor if your common cold symptoms worsen or persist beyond the recovery stage. In these cases, the doctor might determine if there is a secondary infection, underlying condition, or allergy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the questions and answers below for more information on the common cold:

What stage is a cold most contagious?

Individuals can be contagious even before symptoms appear —the period between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms — although they may not be aware they are spreading the virus. The first few days when symptoms start to manifest are also when individuals are most contagious.

What is the worst day of a cold?

The worst day of the common cold is typically around the 4th to 7th day after symptoms begin — this is when symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and fatigue are at their peak. This is when the symptoms are most uncomfortable.

Can a cold go away before reaching the recovery stage?

A cold can improve before reaching the full recovery stage. Some people may experience a rapid decline in symptoms and feel much better before all symptoms are completely resolved.

However, mild symptoms like a lingering cough or nasal congestion might persist even if the worst of the cold has passed.

The Bottom Line

The common cold is a widespread problem and affects anyone. Although it doesn’t have a cure, people can effectively manage it until they feel better. Rest, hydration, along with over-the-counter medications are all helpful for alleviating symptoms.

For symptoms that resemble those of allergies, using Allermi nasal spray can provide effective, continuous relief.

References:

1. Overview: Common colds. (2023, December 11). InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279543/
2. Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.-a). Fever. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10880-fever