Common Cold: Symptoms, Types, Causes and Treatment

The common cold is a familiar adversary—almost everyone experiences it several times throughout their lives. Despite being so widespread, the common cold is often misunderstood, with myths and confusion surrounding its symptoms, varieties, origins, and the best ways to find relief. This article brings together up-to-date scientific insights to clarify what happens when you catch a cold and how to manage it effectively.

Symptoms of Common Cold

The onset of a common cold can be sudden or gradual, but the experience is universally unpleasant. Recognizing the symptoms early helps with self-care and minimizes complications. Let’s explore what to expect when a cold strikes.

Symptom	Frequency	Duration	Source(s)
Nasal Congestion	Very Common	7–10 days	2 3 4
Runny Nose	Very Common	7–10 days	3 4 5
Sore Throat	Common (early)	1–3 days	3 5
Sneezing	Common	3–5 days	2 4 5
Cough	Common (later)	7–14 days	3 4 11
Headache	Occasional	1–4 days	2 3 5
Fever	Occasional/Mild	1–3 days	2 3 4 5
Muscle Aches	Occasional	1–3 days	3 4 5
Watery Eyes	Sometimes	1–3 days	4 5
Malaise	Sometimes	1–4 days	1 5

Table 1: Key Symptoms

Symptom Progression and Overlap

Most people begin feeling symptoms within 24 hours of exposure to the virus. The first signs are often a sore throat and malaise, followed by nasal congestion and a runny nose. Sneezing and watery eyes are also common in the early stages. As the illness progresses, cough can become the most bothersome symptom, sometimes lingering for up to two weeks 3 4 5 11.

Symptom Mechanisms

• Local symptoms such as sore throat, sneezing, and nasal congestion result from the inflammation of the upper airway due to viral infection. This inflammation increases mucus production and triggers nerve responses responsible for sneezing and coughing 5.
• Systemic symptoms like headache, malaise, fever, and muscle aches are driven by the release of cytokines—immune system signaling molecules produced in response to infection 1 5.
• Duration varies, but most people report symptom relief within 7–10 days. However, about three-quarters of school-aged children remain symptomatic even after 10 days, especially with persistent cough and congestion 2 3.

Most Bothersome Symptoms

• Day 1: Sore throat is usually most noticeable.
• Days 2-5: Nasal congestion dominates.
• Days 6-7: Cough often becomes the biggest complaint 3.

Less Common Symptoms

Some individuals may experience mild dizziness, weakness, or mild tearing, but these are not universal and may depend on the infecting virus strain or individual immune response 4.

Types of Common Cold

Although the common cold is generally seen as a single illness, there are several recognized types based on traditional medicine and the variety of viruses that can cause it. Understanding these distinctions can be helpful for management and prevention.

Type	Seasonality/Context	Distinguishing Features	Source(s)
Wind-Cold	Winter/Spring (TCM)	Chills, mild fever, clear mucus	6
Wind-Heat	Spring/Summer (TCM)	Sore throat, yellow mucus, fever	6
Summer Heat Dampness	Hot, humid climates	Heaviness, fatigue, sweating	6
Viral Variants	Year-round	Symptoms vary by virus type	7 9 10

Table 2: Types of Common Cold

Western Medicine: Virus-Based Types

From a biomedical perspective, the common cold can be caused by several types of viruses, each with slightly different symptom profiles:

• Rhinovirus: Most common, responsible for about half of all cases; tends to cause more nasal symptoms 7 9 10.
• Coronaviruses: Less common, but can be associated with more systemic symptoms in some cases 7 10.
• Other viruses: Includes enteroviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and recently discovered viruses like human bocavirus (HBoV) and metapneumovirus 7 9 10.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Classification

TCM divides common colds into three main types:

• Wind-Cold: Associated with chills, mild fever, and clear mucus, typically seen in colder months.
• Wind-Heat: Marked by sore throat, fever, and yellowish mucus, often seen in warmer seasons.
• Summer Heat Dampness: Characterized by fatigue, a sense of heaviness, and sweating, common in hot, humid weather 6.

Why Classification Matters

• For treatment: Certain over-the-counter or herbal remedies may be more effective for specific types (e.g., decongestants for wind-cold, cooling herbs for wind-heat) 6.
• For prevention: Understanding the seasonal and viral patterns can help with targeted prevention (e.g., increased handwashing during rhinovirus peaks in fall/spring) 7 9 10.

Causes of Common Cold

The common cold is overwhelmingly a viral infection, although numerous viruses can be responsible. Understanding the causes helps debunk myths (like the belief that cold weather directly causes colds) and guides appropriate prevention and treatment.

Cause Type	Example Agents	Prevalence	Source(s)
Viruses	Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, Enterovirus, RSV, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus, HBoV	90%+ of cases	7 9 10
Bacteria (rare)	Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae	<5%	7
Environmental	Overcrowding, daycare, seasonal factors	Indirect risk	9 10

Table 3: Causes of the Common Cold

Viral Etiology

• Rhinoviruses are the leading cause, responsible for approximately 50% of colds in adults and even more in children 7 9 10.
• Coronaviruses (including OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1) are less common but recognized contributors.
• Other respiratory viruses such as enteroviruses, parainfluenza, RSV, adenoviruses, and the newly discovered human bocavirus can also be culprits 7 10.
• Multiple co-infections are especially common in children, who may carry several viruses at once due to frequent exposure in group settings 10.

Bacterial Causes

• Bacterial infections are rare and usually occur as secondary infections or complications, not as the primary cause of the cold 7.
• Only a small fraction of cases (less than 5%) show evidence of bacterial involvement, and these are not the typical “simple” colds.

Environmental and Host Factors

• Crowded environments (e.g., schools, daycare) increase the risk of virus transmission 9 10.
• Seasonal variation: Colds are more common in fall and winter, partly due to people spending more time indoors and the increased stability of some viruses in cooler, drier air 9.
• Host immunity and age: Young children are especially susceptible due to immature immune systems and frequent contact with other children 2 10.

Myths Debunked

• Cold weather itself does not cause colds. Instead, it may contribute indirectly by promoting close indoor contact and possibly weakening the immune response 9.

Treatment of Common Cold

There is no cure for the common cold, but a variety of treatments can help reduce symptom severity and duration. Treatment focuses on symptom relief, as most colds resolve on their own within 7–10 days.

Treatment	Primary Benefit	Notes/Limitations	Source(s)
Analgesics (NSAIDs)	Headache, muscle pain, fever	No effect on duration or cough	12
Decongestants	Nasal congestion	Short-term use, avoid in young children	14
Antihistamines-decongestant combos	Multiple symptoms	More effective than antihistamines alone	14
Cough Remedies	Cough suppression	Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin; limited effect in under 5s	14
Zinc	Shortens duration	Most effective if started early	13 14
Vitamin C	May reduce risk	Modest benefit, especially in athletes	14
Intranasal ipratropium	Rhinorrhea reduction	No effect on congestion; mild side effects	15
Herbal/TCM	Symptom relief (varied)	Evidence varies; more study needed	6 14
Antibiotics	Not recommended	Ineffective for viral colds	7 14

Table 4: Treatment Options

Symptom-Targeted Therapies

• Analgesics (NSAIDs): Effective for relieving headache, ear pain, muscle aches, and malaise. They do not reduce the total duration of colds or provide significant relief for respiratory symptoms like congestion or cough 12.
• Decongestants: Can provide short-term relief of nasal blockage, especially within the first dose or two; not recommended for young children due to side effects 14.
• Antihistamine-decongestant combinations: More effective than antihistamines alone for overall symptom improvement, especially when taken early 14.

Cough Remedies

• Dextromethorphan: Can reduce cough in older children and adults; limited benefit in children under 5 14.
• Guaifenesin: Shows mixed results, but may help loosen mucus in some cases 14.
• Intranasal ipratropium: Reduces runny nose but not congestion; may cause nasal dryness or minor nosebleeds 15.

Zinc and Vitamin C

• Zinc: Taken as lozenges or nasal gel within 24 hours of symptom onset, zinc can significantly shorten the duration and severity of a cold. Effectiveness depends on formulation and prompt use 13 14.
• Vitamin C: Modestly reduces cold risk and duration, especially in people under physical stress (athletes, those in cold climates) 14.

Non-Western and Complementary Treatments

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Herbal remedies tailored to wind-cold and other types have been used for centuries. Evidence supports their safety and potential benefit, but more rigorous studies are needed 6 14.
• Echinacea: Data is inconsistent due to study quality and variability in formulation; not universally recommended 14.

What Doesn’t Work

• Antibiotics: Ineffective against viral infections and contribute to antibiotic resistance; should not be used for uncomplicated colds 7 14.
• Routine cough suppressants in young children: Not recommended due to lack of effectiveness and potential side effects 14.

General Care and Prevention

• Rest and hydration remain the cornerstones of self-care.
• Handwashing is effective in reducing transmission.
• Vaccines: While vaccines exist for some respiratory viruses, the diversity of cold-causing viruses makes a universal cold vaccine unlikely in the near future 9.

Conclusion

The common cold is a complex, multi-faceted illness that, while usually mild, can be a significant nuisance and occasionally lead to complications. Understanding its symptoms, types, causes, and the best approaches to treatment can make navigating cold season much easier.

Key Takeaways:

• The common cold is marked by overlapping symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, and cough, with symptom duration often lasting over a week 2 3 4 5.
• Multiple types exist, both from a virological and traditional medicine perspective, with rhinoviruses being the most common cause 6 7 9 10.
• Colds are almost always viral, not bacterial, and are spread by close contact and respiratory droplets 7 9 10.
• Treatment is primarily symptomatic. Analgesics, decongestants, and zinc can help, while antibiotics should be avoided 12 13 14 15.
• Preventive strategies focus on hygiene, rest, and general health maintenance.

By staying informed and choosing evidence-based approaches, most people can manage colds effectively and minimize their impact on daily life.