Stages of cold symptoms
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Stages of Cold Symptoms
Understanding the progression of cold symptoms can help in managing and alleviating discomfort effectively. The common cold typically follows a predictable pattern of symptom development, which can be divided into several stages.
Initial Onset: Day 1
Early Symptoms: Sore Throat and Nasal Congestion
The first signs of a cold often include a tickle in the throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. These symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of the onset of the cold1 2. Sore throat is frequently the initial symptom and is often accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, and headache1 2.
Peak Symptoms: Days 2-4
Nasal Congestion, Runny Nose, and Pain
During the first few days, symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and headache become more pronounced. Pain symptoms, including sore throat, headache, and muscle aches, are also common during this period1 3. Feverishness and secretory symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing are highly prevalent1 3.
Symptom Severity
Symptom severity typically peaks around day 2 of the illness. This is consistent across both experimental and natural cold cases, where the total symptom severity scores are highest6. Nasal discharge may change from watery to thick yellow or green, but this does not necessarily indicate a bacterial infection2.
Persistent Symptoms: Days 5-7
Cough and Nasal Congestion
As the cold progresses, cough becomes more prominent and bothersome, often peaking around days 6 and 71. Nasal congestion remains a significant symptom during this stage, while other symptoms like sore throat and headache may start to subside1.
Extended Duration: Up to 10 Days
Lingering Symptoms
In many cases, symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose can persist for up to 10 days. A significant proportion of individuals, especially children, continue to experience symptoms beyond the first week3. The majority of children (73%) were still symptomatic 10 days after the onset of a cold3.
Conclusion
The common cold typically follows a predictable pattern, starting with a sore throat and nasal congestion, peaking with severe nasal and pain symptoms, and concluding with a persistent cough and lingering nasal congestion. Understanding these stages can aid in better managing symptoms and expectations during the course of the illness.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The natural history of community-acquired common colds symptoms assessed over 4-years.
Common cold symptoms overlap significantly in the first few days, with nasal congestion, secretory, and pain symptoms frequently occurring together, and cough being less prominent but still very bothersome.
Observational StudyThe Common Cold
A common cold in children may include symptoms like a tickle in the throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and other issues.
Symptom Profile of Common Colds in School-Aged Children
The common cold in school-aged children is characterized by nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose, with symptoms typically continuing for at least 10 days.
Observational Study
Highly CitedUnderstanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza
New knowledge of cytokines helps explain some previously folkloric symptoms of colds and flu, improving our understanding of their mechanisms.
Highly CitedAcute cooling of the feet and the onset of common cold symptoms.
Acute chilling of the feet can cause the onset of common cold symptoms in around 10% of subjects, but further studies are needed to determine the relationship between symptom generation and respiratory infection.
RCTSymptom Severity Patterns in Experimental Common Colds and Their Usefulness in Timing Onset of Illness in Natural Colds
Experimental common colds peak 48 hours after inoculation, while natural colds peak on day 2 and are longer duration than reported, making symptom severity scores in natural cold treatment trials inaccurate.
RCTPrevalence of cold-related complaints, symptoms and injuries in the general population: the FINRISK 2002 cold substudy
High prevalence of cold-related complaints in the general population poses a challenge to the healthcare system, with potential for decreased performance and potential for more serious health effects.
Observational StudyWhat is Cold Intolerance?
Cold intolerance symptoms, including pain, stiffness, altered sensibility, and color change, can develop in 64% of patients 24 months after hand injury, with pain being the most troublesome symptom.
Highly CitedCold-related symptoms among the healthy and sick of the general population: National FINRISK Study data, 2002.
Large proportions of people in the north experience cold-related symptoms, particularly in those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Observational StudyEpidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment of the Common Cold
Current treatments for common colds have limited efficacy against specific symptoms, with inflammation playing a key role in the illness' pathogenesis.
Systematic ReviewHighly Cited