Colds - Understanding Symptoms and Treatment

Colds refer to viral infections affecting the nose and throat, commonly causing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and congestion.

Colds FAQ

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How long does a cold last?

Colds can be quite uncomfortable. Symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, headache, cough, and loss of smell or taste can make for a miserable few days. But after 7 to 10 days, most people will start to feel better. There are no cures or treatments that will end a cold. The cold is a virus that has to run its course until it’s gone.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Symptoms include a sore throat, a runny nose, and muscle aches, in some cases. Many different viruses can cause a cold. Treatment is usually with home remedies, such as rest and drinking warm fluids. Most colds result from coronaviruses or rhinoviruses. The coronavirus that causes a cold is different from SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

Why is it called a cold?

The name "cold" came into use in the 16th century, due to the similarity between its symptoms and those of exposure to cold weather. In the United Kingdom, the Common Cold Unit (CCU) was set up by the Medical Research Council in 1946 and it was where the rhinovirus was discovered in 1956.

What is a common cold?

The common cold is precisely that — common. In fact, adults have an average of 2 to 3 colds every year. That means most people know what a cold is as soon as symptoms begin to develop. Colds can be quite uncomfortable. Symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, headache, cough, and loss of smell or taste can make for a miserable few days.

How long does a common cold last?

The common cold is caused by an infection with a virus (a viral infection). It usually gets better in a week or two. This leaflet gives some tips on how to try to manage the symptoms and which symptoms might indicate a more serious illness. What is the common cold? What is a cold?

What is a common cold & how is it treated?

The common cold is the conventional term used to describe a mild, self-limiting, viral, upper respiratory tract infection characterized by nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing, sore throat, and cough. No known treatment improves the time course of infection. Rhinovirus is the most common cause of the common cold.

How do you know if you have a common cold?

The most common cause is a rhinovirus, and the most common symptoms are a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy, sore throat. The first signs of the common cold are fairly obvious: a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy, sore throat. Most people quickly recognize these early symptoms because the common cold is so ordinary.