Rhinovirus infections, which are the most common cause of the common cold, typically last about 7 to 11 days in adults, but symptoms can persist longer in some cases, especially in children. Symptoms often last less than 7 days but can extend up to 2 weeks or even longer in children, sometimes lasting 10 to 14 days or more
. The course of illness usually follows this pattern:
- Adults generally recover within about 7 days.
- Children may take longer, often 10 to 14 days, with occasional cough lingering for 2 to 3 weeks
- The worst symptoms often peak around 3 to 4 days but can last up to 9 or 10 days in kids
Virus shedding (the period during which the virus can be detected and potentially spread) typically lasts 10 to 14 days in healthy adults, but can be longer in certain cases, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions
. In summary, rhinovirus symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks, with adults recovering faster than children, but mild symptoms or cough may linger for several weeks in some cases
