Most colds last 7 to 10 days in adults. Although there isn’t a cure, remedies can help manage the symptoms and lessen the duration.

Most adults recover from a cold in about 7 to 10 days.

Colds, also called head colds, are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. Rhinoviruses usually cause them.

These are different from chest colds, which can affect the lower airways and lungs and involve chest congestion and coughing up mucus.

Coming down with a cold can make you feel tired and cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as

  • sore throat
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • watery eyes
  • cough

This article will take a closer look at the typical cold symptoms for adults and children, what you can do to ease your symptoms, and how to prevent a cold in the first place.

Typically, cold symptoms last from less than a week to 7 to 10 days for most adults.

A cold can last longer in children, up to 2 weeks.

On average, children get more colds in a year than adults. While an average adult may experience two to five colds a year, children may have 6 to 10 colds yearly.

Typically, a common cold includes three different phases, each with slightly different symptoms.

1. Early symptoms

The symptoms of a cold can begin as soon as 1 to 4 days after contracting the virus. You may notice that your throat feels scratchy or sore and you have less energy than usual. These symptoms typically last a couple of days.

2. Peak symptoms

About 2 to 3 days after you first started feeling under the weather, your symptoms will likely be at their worst. In addition to a sore, scratchy throat and fatigue, you may also develop the following symptoms:

3. Late symptoms

You’ll likely still have some nasal congestion for another 3 to 5 days. During this time, you may notice that your nasal discharge has turned yellow or green. This typically means that your body has been actively fighting the infection.

Some people may have a lingering cough or fatigue that lasts several weeks.

While cold symptoms are similar in children and adults, some additional symptoms in children include:

  • decreased appetite
  • trouble sleeping
  • irritability
  • difficulty nursing or taking a bottle

Although most children will get better within a few weeks, you should monitor them for possible complications. These include:

  • Ear infection: Look for indicators of ear pain, such as ear rubbing or scratching and increased irritability.
  • Sinus infection: A sinus infection can cause congestion and nasal discharge that continues for more than 10 days, facial pain, and possibly a fever.
  • Chest infection: A chest infection can cause difficulty breathing, such as wheezing, rapid breathing, or nostril widening.

If you notice complications of a cold, it’s best to talk with a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in treating people under 18, or a family doctor, a doctor who specializes in the care of children and adults.

A stuffy nose is a common cold symptom because having a cold increases the levels of inflammatory compounds in your nose. These compounds can cause drainage and swelling in your nose, making it feel “stuffy.”

While the incubation period (the time between contracting a cold virus and when your symptoms first appear) is usually a few days, some people report stuffy nose symptoms within hours after the cold virus enters their nasal passages.

The compounds that cause nasal irritation usually peak about 48 to 72 hours after the virus first hits your nose. This is when your runny nose is likely to be at its worst, but it may still linger for several more days.

Your stuffy nose will likely clear up before typical later-stage symptoms like a cough.

You may be able to ease your nasal congestion by:

  • Breathing in steam: Steam from a shower or from leaning over a steaming hot bowl of water may help thin the mucus in your nose. This can help reduce inflammation and make breathing easier. Using a humidifier can also help soothe irritated nasal tissue.
  • Using a warm compress: Placing a warm, moist towel or washcloth over your nose may help ease pain and relieve inflammation in your nostrils.
  • Staying well-hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids can help thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce the pressure in your sinuses.
  • Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication: A nasal decongestant may help reduce swelling, irritation, and congestion. Examples include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and oxymetazoline (Afrin). However, it’s important not to take a decongestant for longer than 3 days unless you’ve discussed this with your doctor. Taking a nasal decongestant for more than 3 days could make your stuffiness worse.

A runny nose, also known as nasal drainage, usually peaks about 2 to 3 days after cold symptoms start, but it may last up to a week.

A runny nose usually starts with clear, watery mucus. As the cold progresses, it often becomes thicker and has more of a yellow or green tinge. The color change usually means your white blood cells have started targeting the cold virus.

You may be able to ease your runny nose by taking an OTC antihistamine, like:

  • cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  • loratadine (Claritin)
  • fexofenadine (Allegra)

These medications may help dry up a runny nose and also reduce sneezing.

There isn’t a treatment that can cure the common cold. Treatment usually involves caring for yourself and supporting your immune system while it targets the infection.

Since a cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot treat it. No approved antiviral medications for the common cold exist.

You can usually manage your symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies.

Over-the-counter pain medications

OTC pain relievers can help relieve symptoms like fever, headache, and aches and pains. Options include:

Warning

Never give aspirin to children under 18, as it can cause a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome. Consider looking for products specifically formulated for children, such as Children’s Motrin or Children’s Tylenol. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are safe for children in the recommended doses.

OTC cold medications

Many types of OTC cold medications can help relieve symptoms like nasal congestion, watery eyes, and cough. Options can include:

Some cough and cold medications have caused serious side effects in young children and infants, such as slowed breathing. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend using these medications in children under 2 years old.

At-home care and remedies

Self-care measures can also help relieve your symptoms:

  • Rest: Staying home and limiting your activity can help your body target the infection and prevent spread to others.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids can help break up nasal mucus and prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or sodas, which can be dehydrating.
  • Consider zinc: Zinc supplements, such as lozenges, may help reduce the length of a cold if started shortly after symptoms start. The dosage depends on the specific type of zinc you choose. Some people may experience stomach upset or altered taste with zinc.
  • Use a humidifier: A humidifier can add moisture to a room and help with symptoms like nasal congestion and a cough. If you don’t have a humidifier, a warm, steamy shower may help loosen congestion in your nasal passages.
  • Use a nasal saline solution: A saline nasal spray may help thin mucus in your nasal passages. Although saline sprays contain salt and sterile water, some nasal sprays may contain decongestants. Only use nasal decongestant sprays for 3 days or less. This does not apply to sprays containing only saline solution.
  • Gargle with salt water: Dissolving salt in warm water and gargling with it may help ease a sore throat.
  • Try lozenges: Lozenges that contain honey or menthol may help soothe a sore throat. However, they should not be given to young children as they can be a choking hazard.
  • Use honey: To ease a cough, try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey to a cup of warm tea. However, never give honey to children under 1 year of age, as it can cause infant botulism, a serious and potentially fatal infection.
  • Avoid smoking: Inhaling tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke, or other pollutants can irritate your airways and worsen symptoms.

The common cold is contagious. This means that it can transmit from person to person.

A cold is contagious from shortly before symptoms start until they go away. However, it’s more likely to spread when your symptoms peak, typically during the first 2 to 3 days.

If you’re sick, follow the tips below to prevent spread:

  • Avoid close contact with others, such as shaking hands, hugging, or kissing. Stay home if you can instead of going out in public.
  • If you cough or sneeze, promptly cover your face with a tissue and dispose of used tissues. If no tissues are available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow instead of into your hand.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Disinfect surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, faucets, refrigerator handles, and toys.
  • Avoid any contact with people with weakened immune systems, including young children, older adults, and people with health conditions that affect the immune system, such as people with HIV and those on chemotherapy.
  • Consider wearing a face mask when in public.

While it’s not always possible to avoid catching a cold, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the cold virus.

Prevention tips

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If washing your hands isn’t possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes, especially if your hands aren’t freshly washed.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses, or personal items with others.
  • Consider wearing a mask when in crowded places during cold and flu season.
  • Take steps to support your immune health, such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

Most cold symptoms improve within a week or two without intervention from a healthcare professional.

However, if symptoms last longer than 10 days without improvement or worsen, consider talking with a doctor. Your symptoms may have another cause that requires treatment.

Some symptoms may indicate the infection isn’t due to the common cold. It’s best to follow up with a primary care physician if you notice any of these symptoms:

In adults

  • a fever that’s 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, lasts longer than 5 days, or goes away and returns
  • chest pain
  • a cough that brings up foul-smelling or blood-streaked phlegm
  • wheezing or shortness of breath
  • severe sinus pain or headache
  • severe sore throat

In children

  • a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher; or above 100.4°F (38°C) in babies younger than 3 months
  • persistent cough or a cough that brings up mucus
  • wheezing or trouble breathing
  • decreased appetite or fluid intake
  • unusual levels of fussiness or sleepiness
  • indications of ear pain, such as scratching of the ears

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

The common cold typically clears up in adults in about a week. Children may take slightly longer to recover, up to two weeks.

There’s no cure for the common cold. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom relief and supporting your overall health. You can do this by drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest, and taking OTC medications where appropriate.

While colds are typically mild, be sure to see your doctor if your symptoms, or those of your child, are severe, don’t improve within 10 days, or continue to get worse.