Incubation period for cold
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Incubation Period for the Common Cold
Overview of Cold Incubation Periods
The incubation period for the common cold, which is the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms, varies depending on the type of cold and the specific virus involved. Research indicates that the incubation period can range from as short as one day to as long as nine days, depending on the type of cold and the specific circumstances of exposure.
General Incubation Period
Several studies have identified a general incubation period for the common cold. Research conducted on an isolated tropical island suggested that the incubation period for colds is typically between 1 to 3 days 1. This aligns with findings from other studies that have observed a common incubation period of 2 to 3 days, although some colds may develop after 5 or 6 days 3.
Specific Types of Colds
Different types of colds may have varying incubation periods. For instance, one study identified two distinct types of the common cold: a coryzal type with an incubation period of 1 to 2 days, and a pharyngeal type with an incubation period of 3 to 9 days 2. This differentiation highlights the variability in incubation periods based on the specific type of cold.
Factors Influencing Incubation Period
Environmental factors, such as temperature, can influence the incidence and possibly the incubation period of colds. There is strong evidence that a reduction in atmospheric temperature can affect the incidence of colds, although the exact impact on the incubation period is less clear 1. Additionally, the presence of certain aerobic flora in the nasopharynx may contribute to the severity and progression of cold symptoms 1.
Conclusion
In summary, the incubation period for the common cold generally ranges from 1 to 3 days, but can extend up to 9 days depending on the type of cold and environmental factors. Understanding these variations can help in better managing and anticipating the onset of cold symptoms.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDY OF "COLDS" ON AN ISOLATED TROPICAL ISLAND (ST. JOHN, UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS, WEST INDIES
Colds are incited by an unknown agent, with secondary symptoms linked to nasopharynx-associated aerobic flora, and environmental factors, particularly reduced atmospheric temperature, influence the incidence of colds.
Virus vaccine immunization against the common cold.
Common cold vaccines may help differentiate between spontaneous and induced colds, potentially improving public health by reducing the number of colds and reducing the duration of colds.
Exposure of embryos to cyclically cold incubation temperatures durably affects energy metabolism and antioxidant pathways in broiler chickens.
Cyclic cold incubation in broiler chickens leads to long-term changes in antioxidant pathways and energy metabolism, potentially enhancing their health under cold conditions.
RCT
Animal Study
Rigorous JournalREVERSIBILITY AND EQUILIBRIUM OF THE GLUTAMINASE REACTION OBSERVED CALORIMETRICALLY TO FIND THE FREE ENERGY OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE HYDROLYSIS.
The JH virus may provide clues to how the common cold virus may be isolated, as it has a long incubation period and similar symptoms to the common cold.
Short cold exposures during incubation and postnatal cold temperature affect performance, breast meat quality, and welfare parameters in broiler chickens
Short cold exposures during incubation and postnatal cold challenge negatively impact broiler chicken performance, breast meat quality, and welfare, with limited benefits for health and welfare.
Rigorous JournalThe effect of cold incubation on the development of Bactrocera zonata. (Saunders) stages under laboratory conditions
Cold incubation periods of 13-15 days result in the highest survival of Bactrocera zonata larvae, with the 9th day treatment producing half of the population.
Incubation periods of acute respiratory viral infections: a systematic review
The median incubation period for acute respiratory viral infections is 5-6 days for adenovirus, 3-2 days for human coronavirus, 4-4 days for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, 1-5 days for influenza A, 0-6 days for influenza B, 12-5 days for measles, 2
Systematic Review
Highly CitedThe effect of different cold period during maternal incubation on incubation efficiency and hatching term in Austropotamobius pallipes
Shorter cold periods during maternal incubation in Austropotamobius pallipes lead to higher incubation efficiency and hatching terms, with the highest efficiency found after the shortest cold period.
STUDIES ON THE NASOPHARYNGEAL SECRETIONS FROM PATIENTS WITH COMMON COLDS
Filtered nasopharyngeal secretions from early common cold cases can transmit a similar condition to humans, suggesting that infectious common colds and epidemic influenza are distinct diseases.
Non-RCT