How long bad cold last

The typical common cold lasts about 7—10 days, on average. However, this may differ depending on the individual. Some people only have symptoms for a couple of days, whereas others may regularly experience cold symptoms for 2 weeks at a time. Lifestyle factors, such as whether a person gets enough rest or whether they smoke cigarettes, can also help speed up or slow down recovery.

Even after the virus is out of the body, some symptoms may linger. For example, stubborn mucus or a cough may last for another week or more after the infection clears up.

Symptoms may last longer in some children. In most cases, however, they will still last only 7—10 days. Children may have a more difficult time with symptoms, as it can be hard for them to identify the cause of their symptoms or deal with them on their own. Children are more likely to catch colds. Children also have a higher risk of colds because they are less aware of prevention habits, such as sneezing into their elbow or regularly washing their hands.

Being in close contact with others, such as while attending preschool, also increases the risk of acquiring a cold. Symptoms of the cold do not show up immediately after a person contracts a virus. The incubation period for the common cold is about 1—3 days. During this time, the person may pass the virus on to someone else, even if they are not showing symptoms. Strictly speaking, any time a person has symptoms of a cold, they can pass it on to another person. However, the person may be most contagious from a day before symptoms start and for the initial 5 days of being sick.

The cold commonly spreads through droplets or vapor when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or blows their nose. Their mucus and saliva can pass through the airways of another person and start an infection there. The cold virus can live outside the body for a few hours, which means that a person may pass a cold on to others by sharing objects such as face cloths, dishes, or cutlery. While adults usually have two to three colds per year, the authors of a review note that children under 2 years old have as many as six colds per year.

But talk to a doctor if any of these things happen to you:. You should see your doctor if you think you might have more than a cold or if you're getting worse instead of getting better. A doctor won't be able to identify which specific virus is causing a cold.

But your doctor can check your throat and ears and possibly also take a throat culture to make sure your symptoms due to another condition. A throat culture is a simple procedure that involves brushing the inside of the throat with a long cotton swab. Examining the germs on the swab will help determine whether you have strep throat and need treatment with antibiotics. If your doctor does prescribe antibiotics, be sure to take them exactly as directed.

If you stop taking them too soon — even if you're feeling better — the infection may not go away and you can develop other problems. Sooner or later everybody catches a cold. But you can strengthen your immune system's infection-fighting ability by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest. Although some people recommend alternative treatments for colds such as zinc and vitamin C in large doses, or herbal products such as echinacea , none of these is proven to prevent or effectively treat colds.

Because herbal products can have negative side effects, lots of doctors don't recommend them. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What's a Cold? What Causes Colds? What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Cold? Make sure to identify what other symptoms you may be experiencing with your cold, so you can get the relief you need. For relief of cold symptoms like nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and more, dissolve a packet of FluTherapy into a glass of 8 oz. Stir and sip while hot.

Make sure to drink the entire medicated drink within minutes. The medicated vapors in Vicks VapoRub quickly relieve cough symptoms. First, rub it on your chest or throat.

Then breathe in the medicated vapors with the familiar scents of eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor to help relieve your cough symptom from a cold. Nasal congestion can make it hard to focus on anything besides your breathing when you have a cold. It is a fast-acting nasal spray decongestant that relieves sinus pressure and shrinks swollen nasal membranes so you can breathe more freely.

Cold and flu prevention methods are similar because both illnesses result when you are exposed to a virus. You can protect yourself from getting the common cold by following these CDC guidelines to help you reduce your risk of getting a cold 1 :.

To protect others around you from getting the common cold, you should follow these CDC tips for cold prevention 1 :. Common Colds. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 11, Accessed June 18, Cold Versus Flu. Published December 30, Accessed June 19, You can also try ice chips, sore throat sprays, lozenges or hard candy. Use caution when giving lozenges or hard candy to children because they can choke on them.

Don't give lozenges or hard candy to children younger than 6 years. Combat stuffiness. Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several saline drops into one nostril, then gently suctioning that nostril with a bulb syringe.

Saline nasal sprays may be used in older children. Relieve pain. For children 6 months or younger, give only acetaminophen. For children older than 6 months, give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your child's doctor for the correct dose for your child's age and weight. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin.

This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. Try over-the-counter OTC cold and cough medications.

For adults and children age 5 and older, OTC decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration, and most have some side effects. Experts agree that these shouldn't be given to younger children.

Overuse and misuse of these medications can cause serious damage. Talk with your child's doctor before giving any medications. Take medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain multiple ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever, so read the labels of cold medications you take to make sure you're not taking too much of any medication. The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. Some of the more common ones that don't work include:.

In spite of ongoing studies, the scientific jury is still out on some popular cold remedies, such as vitamin C and echinacea. Here's an update on some common alternative remedies:. Vitamin C. It appears that taking vitamin C won't usually help the average person prevent colds. However, some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten the length of time you have symptoms.

Vitamin C may benefit people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposure — for example, children who attend group child care during the winter.

Study results on whether echinacea prevents or shortens colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit.