Common Cold
Alternate Names : Cold, Upper Respiratory Infection - Viral
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Common Cold Symptoms & Signs
The three most frequent symptoms of a cold are:
The throat may be irritated (but not red). Adults and older children with colds generally have minimal or no fever. Young children often run a fever around 100 to 102 degrees.
Once you have "caught" a cold, the symptoms usually begin in 2 or 3 days, though it may take a week. Typically, an irritated nose or scratchy throat is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.
Within one to three days, the nasal secretions usually become thicker and perhaps yellow or green. This is a normal part of the common cold and not a reason for antibiotics. During this period, children's eardrums are usually congested and there may be fluid behind the ears, regardless of whether or not the child will end up with a true bacterial infection.
Depending on which virus is the culprit, the virus might also produce
Still, if it is indeed a cold, the most prominent symptoms will be in the nose.
For children with asthma, colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms. They are also the most common precursor of ear infections.
The entire cold is usually over all by itself in about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms (such as cough) for another week. If it lasts longer, consider another problem, such as a sinus infection or allergies.
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