cold symptoms in adults

Contents

cold symptoms in adults
- The first symptoms of a cold in adults
The development of cold symptoms in adults by day
Cough with a cold
Temperature for colds
Runny nose, nasal congestion with a cold
Chills with a cold
Sore throat with a cold
Popular questions and answers

Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat – these unpleasant symptoms indicate that you have a cold. Together with expert Lidia Staurina, we discussed how a cold occurs and develops, and what to do at the first hints of illness at home

The common cold is a common informal name for acute respiratory diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx, nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx).

Colds are usually caused by viruses or bacteria. The common name ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) combines diseases of viral origin – from acute rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses) to influenza. The term ARI usually means an acute respiratory disease caused by any infectious agent – bacteria, virus, protozoa. Therefore, we can say that SARS is a type of acute respiratory infections.

The common belief that colds are caused by hypothermia is just a misconception. Hypothermia can really weaken the immune system, after which bacteria and viruses can easily enter the body. At the same time, quite often they act together: first the virus attacks, and later a bacterial infection joins it.

The main symptoms of a cold in adults are a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, weakness, chills. Along with the temperature, aches in the joints and muscles may appear.

Unlike the flu, in which a person feels rapidly worse, a cold is characterized by a gradual increase in symptoms.¹.

The first symptoms of a cold in adults

As a rule, ARVI begins with catarrhal symptoms: sore throat, nasal congestion and cough. In this case, the temperature can rise both on the day of the onset of the disease, so join a little later, or it may not be at all.

The development of cold symptoms in adults by day

Symptoms	Appearance
Runny nose, stuffy nose	In the first hours
Sneezing	After the onset of a runny nose
Chills	When the temperature rises
Temperature	On 1-2 day
A sore throat	On 1-2 day
Cough	On 1-2 day

Cough with a cold

With a cold, the cough is often dry or accompanied by a very small amount of sputum, which begins to separate for 1-2 days. As a rule, the cough disappears within two weeks, but sometimes it can last longer.

Temperature for colds

Body temperature during a cold often does not reach 38, but can rise even higher in the first days. In rare cases lasts longer than 2-3 days².

Runny nose, nasal congestion with a cold

First, “dry” signs appear: burning, tickling in the nose, which causes bouts of sneezing. Then abundant mucous secretions appear, nasal congestion occurs, sensitivity to odors decreases. If a bacterial infection joins, nasal discharge becomes yellow or yellow-green. Acute rhinitis usually resolves in 8-12 days. If you can’t get rid of a runny nose for more than 2-3 weeks, you should see a doctor.

Chills with a cold

The person is shivering when the temperature rises. He feels a sharp cold, the skin turns pale, the patient is shaking. At a slightly elevated temperature, the chills are mild, at high temperatures, severe. But as soon as the temperature rises, chills are replaced by fever. A slight chill is also possible with a rapid decrease in temperature.

Sore throat with a cold

This is often one of the first symptoms of a cold. A sore throat accompanies redness of the mucous membrane or plaque. With a cold, sore throat goes away in 3-4 days.

cold symptoms in adults