Health

Stages of Common Cold Sign, Symptoms and Causes

December 24, 2021

What is the Common Cold?

The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by many viruses. It is the most common infection that occurs in humans and is caused by over 200 viruses. The virus can enter your body through your mouth, nose, or eyes, causing infection in the upper respiratory tract and affecting the throat, nose, larynx, and sinuses. Proceed with cold symptoms like:

Sore throat
Coughing
Runny nose
Congestion
Sneezing
Headache
Low-grade fever

Causes of a Common Cold

Catching a common cold is related to being outside in cold or rainy weather. But, it is not necessarily a common cold that can happen inside too. If you have contact with infected people, you can catch a cold even indoors. A common cold is a contagious disease. Many types of cold viruses spread the disease, and most are infectious.

It can spread through droplets of saliva or mucus that get released into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even talks. The symptomatic person is equally dangerous as it is outside in cold weather or rain. Hand-to-hand contact or physical contact is another way of transmission of contagious diseases. A cold virus can also be spread by physical contact with an infected person.

You might catch a cold by sharing contaminated objects with an infected person. Like, towels, phones, toys, computer keyboards, or utensils. You will likely catch a cold after exposure or contact with such objects when you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands. That is why adults suffer from 2-3 colds a year and children suffer from 5-7 colds per year. There are many different types of viruses that cause the common cold, more than 200. But the most common ones are from the Rhinovirus family.

Rhinoviruses are responsible for 40-50% of all common colds and contain at least 100 distinct virus types. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and cause sinus and ear infections. These culprits are usually most active in early fall, spring and summer.

Cold Symptoms

Cold symptoms can take a few days after exposure to the virus. This period is called the incubation period, usually taking 1-3 days before symptoms tend to surface. The symptoms may vary from person to person because over 200 types of viruses can cause colds. The symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on the person's immune system. It shows how the person persists in the symptoms of a cold. Common cold symptoms are:

Nasal symptoms include

Congestion
Sinus pressure
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Loss of smell or taste
Sneezing
Watery nasal secretions
Postnasal drip or drainage in the back of your throat

Head symptoms include

Watery eyes
Headache
Sore throat
Cough
Swollen lymph nodes

Whole-body symptoms include

Fatigue or general tiredness
Chills
Body aches
Low-grade fever
Chest discomfort
Difficulty breathing deeply

The symptoms of a cold last for 7 to days. As for the thumb rule, the symptomatic person is also contagious. A person can be contagious even a day before showing any cold symptoms. People are more contagious during the cold's first 24 hours and in the duration of the symptomatic period. People with weak immunity may have asthma, and other lung conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia may develop.

Other virus families that cause colds include

Coronavirus
Respiratory syncytial virus
Adenovirus
Human parainfluenza viruses

Difference Between Cold And Flu

The common cold and the flu are similar because both have similar symptoms. It is very hard to differentiate between the common cold and the flu as both illnesses spread around the same time of year. The symptoms may seem very similar initially because both are respiratory illnesses and can cause similar symptoms.

But the common cold and flu occur due to two different viruses, so some symptoms may differ. It will gradually help to differentiate between the two. Both common colds and the flu share a few common symptoms. In general, flu symptoms are:

Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
Headache
Body aches
General fatigue
High-grade fever
Chills

Flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms. It can cause mild to severe illnesses that may lead to death. Another distinct difference between the common cold and the flu is their seriousness. Flu can also cause complications like sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, and sepsis in severe cases.

Whereas colds rarely cause additional health conditions or problems. You need to see your doctor to know whether your symptoms are from a cold or the flu. After doing some tests, you can determine what is behind your symptoms. If your doctor diagnoses a cold, your symptoms only need to be treated because the common cold disappears on its own.

The doctor may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications. Advise you to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. But if you have the flu, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs with OTC flu medicine to treat your symptoms. Resting and staying hydrated may also be beneficial for people with the flu. The flu also needs time to work through your body, similar to the common cold.

Risk Factors

Certain conditions can increase the risk of catching a cold. These include:

1- Time of year

Colds can occur anytime but are more common in the fall and winter. Because during these times we spend our time indoors near other people. Good hygiene reduces the risk of catching a cold or making others sick. Wash your hands regularly. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze using a tissue or the crook of your elbow.

2- Age

Children under age 6 are more susceptible to catching colds. The immune system has not fully developed against different viruses. Children attending the daycare are at high risk of catching a cold. Because younger children are less likely to wash their hands regularly or cover their mouths and noses when they cough or sneeze.

3- Lack of Sleep

A complete 8-hour sleep is essential for a healthy life. Lack of sleep can negatively affect your immune system and increase the risk of catching a common cold and other diseases.

4- Environment

You can catch a cold, likely if you are on a plane or at a concert. Many people around you can increase the risk of exposure to rhinoviruses.

5- Compromised immune system

If you have a chronic illness or have been sick recently, you are at high risk of catching a cold. The reason is that your immune system is weak after combating your last or present sickness.

6-Smoking

Smoking disrupts your immune system and increases the risk of catching the cold and other viruses. Symptoms of the common cold can be worse if you smoke. Smokers have a more severe cold than other people.

Stages of Common Cold

A common cold may typically follow a specific pattern of progression lasting between 7-10 days. However, many will not experience this typical pattern when they catch a cold. The common cold has classified into three stages:

Early (days 1-3)
Active or peak (days 4-7)
Late (days 8-10)

Stages do not necessarily matter much, as once you have a cold, there is not much to do but wait it out. The colds stages breakdown helps to understand the recovery in the consecutive phase. The typical stages of a common cold are as follows:

Stage 1 (incubation period)

The incubation period is a stage between the infection by a cold virus and the development of symptoms. It is the time between exposure to the virus to the appearance of the cold symptoms. It may last one to three days and may be shorter than 10 to 12 hours. This period is very brief when infected with most cold viruses and rhinovirus. The symptoms are:

Tingling or scratchy throat
Body aches
Tiredness or fatigue

The appearance of symptoms depends on the specific virus causing the cold. Rhinoviruses can produce symptoms from 12 to 72 hours after infection but commonly in 24 to 48 hours. Some other viruses as adenovirus, take a long time, as much as 5.5 days.

Stage 2 (appearance and progression of symptoms) 1-3 days

The symptoms tend to appear 10 to 12 hours after infection. The most common symptoms during this stage are:

Tingling or scratchy throat
Body aches
Tiredness or fatigue

More symptoms also develop as the stage proceeds. The symptoms are:

Congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Body aches
Coughing
Hoarseness

Your symptoms are active and contagious; you must avoid physical interactions.

Recovery tips

These recovery tips can help you relieve the symptoms of this cold stage.

Take decongestants and cough syrup but avoid mixing combination medications.
Get plenty of sleep and rest.
Stay hydrated.
Take OTC zinc supplements, or lozenges.

Stage 3 (Active/Peak) 4-7 days

This stage has characterized when the intensity of symptoms reaches its peak. In this period, your entire body may hurt. And fluid is running non-stop from your nose and eyes. You may experience a fever as your body defends a compromised immune system. Call your doctor if the fever exceeds 102° F (38.9°C). The most common symptoms during this stage of a cold are:

Sore throat
Cough
Congestion or runny nose
Fatigue
Aches
Chills or low-grade fever
Sneezing
Feeling sick
Headache

Recovery tips

These tips can help to reduce the severity of symptoms:

Avoid smoking if you smoke, as it paralyzes the cilia in the lungs and takes longer to heal.
Avoid asking your healthcare provider for an antibiotic. Cold is a viral infection, and an antibiotic will not help.
Use a cough suppressant if you find it difficult to sleep.
Take ibuprofen for body aches.
Get your daily amount of vitamin C (1 to 2 grams per day) via fresh fruit or supplements.
Gargle with saltwater.
Use a humidifier, or take a steam bath or shower.
Use Chloraseptic or Cepacol lozenges.
Continue to take zinc supplements or lozenges.

Stage 4 (stage of remission) 8-10 days

This stage mark by a decline and fading of cold symptoms. You feel clear, and your symptoms are subsided. The symptoms usually subside between 3 and 10 days. The nose's nasal discharge color changed from white to yellow or green. The other most common symptoms during this stage are the following:

Cough
Congestion
Runny nose
Fatigue

Mild symptoms may last up to two weeks in some people. They can manage by appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) medications and a healthy diet.

Recovery tips

Cover your cough with your sleeve at the elbow or with a tissue, and wash your hands.
As needed, continue taking OTC drugs: like ibuprofen, decongestant, cough suppressant, or antihistamine.

Cold Treatment

However, there is no cure for the common cold. But several ways can reduce the severity of symptoms and help you feel better. The followings things can help you feel better:

Do a lot of rest.
Drink plenty of clear fluids.
Take over-the-counter medications.

Several alternative remedies can also help ease your cold symptoms. The symptoms of the common cold are harmless. And they go away on their own within a week or so.

OTC Cold Remedies

OTC cold remedies can help you feel better and reduce the severity of symptoms. Here is a list of cold remedies:

Ibuprofen
Chloraseptic or Cepacol lozenges
OTC zinc supplements or lozenges
Decongestants
Cough syrup
Vitamin C
Antihistamine

How to Prevent a Cold

Common colds can occur any time of the year, and no vaccinations exist to prevent them. But there are ways to reduce your chances of catching a cold. Here are tips to avoid catching a cold :

Thoroughly wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizers.
Avoid rubbing your eyes and nose and putting your fingers in your mouth.
Clean shared spaces and items in your home with disinfectant (countertops, toys, phones, computer keyboards, tv remotes, etc.)
Use tissues when sneezing or coughing, and immediately wash your hands after throwing them out. Sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbows if tissues are unavailable.
Do not share your glasses or eating utensils with other family members.
Send your child to a daycare that promotes good hygiene practices and follows a policy of keeping sick children home.
Eat well and get enough exercise to keep your immune system strong.
Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with anyone with a cold.