A common cold will usually last for around 7–10 days. The first symptom of a cold is usually a sore throat, followed by congestion, sneezing, and coughing. People will usually have low energy levels, and they may have mild aches. Symptoms usually peak within the first few days before gradually improving.

The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract. 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.

A cold is a very common mild viral infection. You can often treat a cold without seeing a GP. You should begin to feel better in about 1 to 2 weeks. There is a separate page on if your child has cold or flu symptoms. Symptoms of a cold The main symptoms of a cold include: a sore throat a blocked or runny nose