Overview
After your body is affected by the cold virus, it will take about three days before the common cold symptoms appear. That short period of one to three days is known as the incubation period. These are some symptoms of common cold
Runny Nose and Nasal congestion
These symptoms are the most common you have a cold. There will be congestion in the nose when there is an excess fluid that results to blood vessels and the mucous membrane to swell. In the course of three days, the nasal discharge becomes thicker and the color changes to either yellow or green.
Cough
There are two types of coughs, a dry cough and a wet cough. A cough can last for up to three weeks. It is a symptom that lasts for long and tends to disappear after all the symptoms. If a cough persists, you should contact your doctor.
Sore Throat
A sore throat makes your throat dry, itchy and feels like scratching hence making swallowing painful. It makes solid food difficult to eat. The pain is due to swollen tissues caused by the cold virus. A postnasal drip or prolonged exposure to a hot and dry environment can be the primary cause of this symptom.
Headaches and Body Aches
Body aches and mild headaches are common if you have a cold. It is due to the virus experienced when you have the flu.
Fever
If you have a cold, you can experience a low level of fever. If you or any member of your family has a fever exceeding 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you have a three-month child or younger and has fever regardless of the level, you should call your doctor too.
Whether an adult or a child, you should visit your doctor if you have the following symptoms
Adults
If you have a cold, it’s not that you will experience fever and feel fatigued. There are other symptoms associated will flu as well. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you should visit a doctor:
- Common cold symptoms for over ten days
- Fever exceeding 100.4 Fahrenheit
- Fever with sweating, chills or a cough with a discharge
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Severe sinus pain
- Pain inside your ear
- Chest pains
- Difficulty in breathing
Children
If your child has a cold, you should look out for the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or exceeding and the child is under six weeks
- Fever of 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit or exceeding and the child is six weeks or older
- A fever that has persisted for over three days
- Symptoms for more than ten days
- Vomiting and abdominal pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Stiff neck and headache
- Urinating less
- Trouble swallowing solid food
- Crying and complaining of ear pain
- Coughing persistently
- Too much sleep
- A blue tint especially on the lips or nose