The common cold is a prevalent viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, characterized by a variety of symptoms that can vary in intensity and duration.
- The onset of the common cold is often marked by a sore throat, followed by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and headache; cough tends to become more bothersome later in the illness.
- School-aged children frequently report nasal congestion, cough, and runny nose as primary symptoms, with these symptoms persisting for at least 10 days.
- Common cold symptoms include both local symptoms like sore throat, sneezing, nasal congestion, and systemic symptoms such as headache, chilliness, fever, and muscle aches.
- The initial signs of a cold can include a dry sensation in the throat, sneezing, and nasal obstruction, with the possibility of slight fever and a progression to a mucous or muco-purulent discharge.
- In preschool children, fever is common in the first few days of a cold, and symptoms can last 10 to 14 days, while in adults, colds typically last less than a week.
- The common cold is distinguished by symptoms of nasal discharge and obstruction without significant temperature elevation.
- Early symptoms of a cold can include a tickle in the throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing, with the possibility of a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.
- The most frequent symptoms of the common cold include muscular soreness, headache, throat discomfort, stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing.
In summary, the common cold manifests with a range of symptoms that typically begin with a sore throat and progress to include nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sneezing. Systemic symptoms such as headache, fever, and muscle aches may also be present. The duration and severity of symptoms can vary, with children often experiencing longer-lasting symptoms than adults.