A common cold typically lasts about 7 to 10 days in most adults. Symptoms usually begin gradually over 2 to 3 days, peak around days 4 to 7, and then start to improve by days 8 to 10
. The course of a cold can be divided into three stages:
- Days 1 to 3: Onset with early symptoms like sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and mild cough.
- Days 4 to 7: Peak symptoms including nasal congestion, cough, body aches, headache, fatigue, and sometimes fever.
- Days 8 to 10: Late stage where symptoms decrease, though some people may still have a lingering cough
In children, colds may last longer, sometimes up to 2 weeks
. Additionally, while most symptoms resolve within 7 to 10 days, a cough can persist for several weeks (3 to 4 weeks) after other symptoms have subsided
. If symptoms worsen, last longer than about 10 days, or if fever returns, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider as this may indicate complications or another infection
. In summary, expect a cold to last about one to two weeks, with most symptoms resolving within 7 to 10 days, but some residual cough may linger longer.
