You've got a cough and runny nose, or maybe a sore throat, cough, and blocked nose. So what's making you sick? Is it a cold, allergies, or the flu?
There are similarities to all three, but a few telltale signs can help you tell them apart.
Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold isn't an exact illness. The term "cold" is a catch-all phrase to describe over 200 viruses known to infect your upper respiratory system, which includes your nose and throat.
These highly contagious germs can enter your body through your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Someone with a cold could spread their germs to you by coughing or sneezing nearby. Or maybe they wipe their nose on a towel that you touch soon after. Being in a crowded place, such as a school, subway, or airplane, makes it more likely that you'll catch a cold. You're also at higher risk if you have an ongoing health condition, a weakened immune system, or use tobacco.
Babies and young kids are also more likely to catch colds than adults.
So what do cold symptoms look like?
The most well-known signs include:
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Losing your sense of taste or smell
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Hoarse voice
- Feeling tired even after sleeping
- Low fever
- Headache
- Feeling sore all over
- Ear pressure
For the first few days that you're sick, the mucus (discharge) from your runny nose will probably change from watery and clear to a thicker white or yellow. That's actually a good sign. It means that your immune system has sent powerful germ-fighting cells to defend your upper respiratory tract.
You'll probably start feeling unwell between one and three days after you get infected with a cold virus. A sore or scratchy throat is often the very first sign.
Cold symptoms typically last about 7-10 days. By then the worst is over, but you may still feel stuffed up or have a cough that lingers much longer.
You're most contagious during the first three days of your cold when your symptoms are the most intense. But it's also possible to spread cold germs to others a day or two before you have symptoms and for up to two weeks afterward.
Common cold symptoms and asthma
If you live with asthma, an ongoing inflammation in your lungs, even a small cold can worsen your symptoms. Asthma can also cause your cold to last longer than usual. Colds are one of the most common causes of asthma attacks, especially in young kids. And while you have cold symptoms, your usual asthma medication may not offer its typical level of relief.
Try to stay healthy by washing your hands often, keeping your distance from others who are sick, and getting vaccines that your doctor recommends.
If you do get sick with a cold:
Check in with your doctor. Based on your symptoms, they may advise a prescription or over-the-counter cold remedy to manage your symptoms. They can also alert you to symptoms that mean you need to seek medical care right away.
Get plenty of rest. When you're feeling unwell, your body needs extra sleep. Staying home can also prevent you from spreading germs to others.
Use a peak flow meter. This will help you understand how well your lungs are taking in air. If you notice a decrease in your usual number, let your doctor know.
Make sure you have a written Asthma Action Plan (AAP). These are the steps your doctor wants you to take when your asthma symptoms get worse. An AAP outlines the medications to take and when to take them. It can also remind you of the symptoms that signal you need to head to the ER.
Signs of infection
Sometimes, a cold can lead to a bacterial infection, especially in your ears, sinuses, or lungs.
If so, you could notice symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Feeling tired even after resting
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Coughing up thick mucus
Although some bacterial infections clear up on their own, they can result in much more serious issues. If you think you have an infection, check in with your doctor. Based on your health history and symptoms, you may need a course of antibiotics to help you recover.
Allergies vs. Common Cold Symptoms
When you can't stop sneezing and you're going through tissues at record speed, you might wonder whether you've come down with a cold or are allergic to something.
Allergies are caused by your immune system overreacting to an allergen, such as dust or pollen. It then releases powerful chemicals such as histamine. This causes the passageways in your nose to swell, leading to a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing.
Allergies aren't contagious, but you could have inherited your tendency to have them.
You can tell an allergic response apart from a cold in a few different ways:
Allergies:
- Are more likely than colds to make your eyes itch
- Are less likely to cause a sore throat
- Don't cause fevers
- Could last several weeks
If you have allergies, talk to your doctor about the best way to treat them. If they're mild, you may see your symptoms improve by using a saline nose spray to help flush the allergen out of your nasal passages or using an over-the-counter allergy medication.
Common Cold Symptoms vs. Flu
Colds can be caused by hundreds of viruses, while the flu is caused by a type of influenza virus. There's no cure for the flu because the virus mutates quickly and new strains always appear. But flu symptoms largely stay the same.
A lot of cold and flu symptoms overlap. Among them are:
- Coughing
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
But there are some differences. For instance,
Flu symptoms often start abruptly. There may not be a little tickle in your throat a few days before the flu, like you get with a cold.
You usually don't run a fever with a cold. A cold rarely raises your temperature above 101 F. If you're running a fever, it may be a sign you've got the flu or your cold has turned into a bacterial infection.
A fever is more likely to wipe you out. Although you might not feel great with a cold, you'll probably still be able to go to work or school. The flu is more likely to make you want to stay in bed and put your usual daily routine on hold.
The flu can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening health issues. The best way to try to protect your health is by getting a yearly flu shot. If you still get sick, let your doctor know. They can test you to confirm you have the flu. In some cases, they may be able to prescribe an antiviral treatment that reduces your symptoms and shortens the length of time you're sick.
When to Call the Doctor About Cold Symptoms
Except in newborns, colds typically aren't a reason for concern. The symptoms usually go away without any special treatment. But anytime you're sick, it can wear down your body's resistance, making you more open to a bacterial infection.
Severe cold symptoms
See your doctor if your cold symptoms are severe and you aren't getting better. They'll likely check your throat and ears and listen to your lungs. They may take a throat culture by brushing your throat with a long cotton-tipped swab. This will show whether you have an infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.
Call your doctor if you have:
- An earache
- Pain around the nose and eyes (sinuses) for more than a week
- Coughed up mucus for more than a week
- Shortness of breath
- Worsening symptoms
- Symptoms that last longer than two weeks
- Trouble swallowing
- Severe sore throat with fever (may indicate strep infection)
- Pain or pressure in your chest or belly
- A stiff neck
- Sensitivity to bright lights
Also, see your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding and get a cold.
Common cold symptoms in children
If your child has a cold, they may be:
- Cranky
- Have trouble sleeping
- Not feel like eating
- Breathe through their mouth instead of their nose
- Feel sick to their stomach or vomit after coughing
Always call your doctor if your child is sick and you have any questions or concerns. And contact them right away if your child is under 2 years old and has a fever that lasts more than a day, or your child is 2 years or older and has had a fever for more than three days.
Common cold symptoms in infants
If your baby has a cold, they could have:
- A runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Lack of appetite
- Drooling
- Trouble swallowing
- A fever of 101-102 F
- Swollen glands
- A fussy mood
Call your doctor immediately if your baby has a cold and is younger than 2 months old, or they show any of the following symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Faster breathing than usual
- Wheezing
- Blue lips
- Refusal to nurse or feed
- Ear pain (they may pull on their ear)
- Crying more than usual
- Sleeping more than usual or hard to wake
- Fever above 102 F (100.4 F if your child is younger than 3 months)
These signs can mean that your child's cold has turned into another health issue, such as an infection, that needs treatment. Your doctor can advise you on the next steps to take so your baby starts feeling better.
Takeaways
Adults typically catch two to three colds each year, while kids get sick even more. Most colds are short-lived and will clear up on their own. But they can pose serious risks for babies, older adults, and people with ongoing health issues. Call your doctor if you have any concerns or feel like your symptoms are getting worse, not better.
Common Cold Symptoms FAQs
How to get rid of a cold quickly
A cold has to run its course. No treatment can get it to go away faster. But you can support your body's healing process if you:
- Drink lots of fluids. Sip caffeine-free drinks, such as water or warm liquids like broth or herbal tea. This can help reduce the stuffy feeling in your nose and keep you from getting dehydrated (losing too many fluids).
- Take it easy. Try to rest as much as you can. That way, your body can put more resources toward fighting off the germs making you sick.
What are the different stages of a cold?
Some experts believe a cold happens in three different phases:
- Stage I: In this early stage (Days 1-3), you've been infected with the germ, and your symptoms slowly begin.
- Stage II: During Days 4 to 7, your symptoms peak.
- Stage III: The worst is probably behind you once you enter this late stage (Days 8-10).
What not to do when you have a cold?
Many cold and cough remedies are available over the counter, but they may not do much good and could cause side effects. Talk to your doctor before using one, and never give them to children under the age of 6 years.
It's still unclear how well some home remedies for colds, including zinc and echinacea, work. More studies need to be done. Until then, talk to your doctor before you take them. They could interfere with other medications or cause side effects. It's not advised to give zinc or echinacea to children or babies.
What is the best medicine for a cold?
Antibiotics can't cure a cold. They only work on bacteria, not viruses. But to help ease some of your symptoms, you could try an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If your doctor says it's okay, you can give your child the children's strength version of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the dosage guidelines on the label.
Never give a child or teenager aspirin. Doing so may raise their risk for a life-threatening health issue called Reye's syndrome.
