How Long Does a Cold Last

Is there any person in the whole world who is not affected by common cold for at least once during his/her lifetime? No. Cold is one of the common diseases among humans, especially children and elderly. It can affect people of all ages and those with a weak immune system are more prone to this disease, which is also known as viral upper respiratory tract infection. Even though it may lead to some complications in some of the affected people, normally common cold is considered to be harmless and not life-threatening. However, it can cause mild to severe discomfort that can be alleviated with proper care. Let us know more about this disease and how long does a cold last.

What Causes Common Cold?

Common cold is a contagious disease which can be caused by various types of viruses. It is believed that there are around 200 viruses that can cause cold and the most common among them are rhinovirus, coxsackievirus and coronavirus. In most cases (almost 50%), common cold is caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses attack the protective lining of the nose and throat, causing symptoms of cold. These symptoms are nothing other than the reactions of the immune system, which tries to get rid of the viruses from the body. As cold can be caused by many types of viruses and new viruses develop constantly due to mutation, it is difficult for the human body to build up resistance against this disease. Hence, cold has become a recurring disease which affects school going children for about three to twelve times per year. In case of adults, it can be around three to four times a year. This makes common cold one of the most frequently occurring diseases, across the globe.

Usually, common cold is spread as a result of direct contact (hand to hand) with the contaminated surfaces or with the saliva or nasal secretions of the infected person. Cold virus can survive for several hours on surfaces that are used by the infected person. Even commonly used objects, like books, pens, keyboard, etc. are found to retain the virus for a long time, once they are used by the infected person. So, close contact with the affected person may not be necessary to develop common cold. In fact, some people are less likely to develop common cold, even after getting exposed to the viruses that cause the condition. They have a very strong immune system that gets rid of the viruses from the body, without much difficulty. In those with weak immune system, it is easy to catch cold. Apart from that, they have higher chances of developing complications like bronchitis, sinusitis, strep throat and even pneumonia. It has been noted that smokers, those who consume lots of sugar and those with lots of mental and physical stress, are prone to develop cold easily. According to some researchers, vitamin D deficiency is another condition that can make you susceptible to cold.

Common Cold Symptoms

Almost all of us are familiar with common cold and its symptoms. We all know that the condition is characterized by sneezing, running and stuffy nose, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, etc. It can be accompanied by headaches, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, shivering and exhaustion too. Though runny nose is one of the initial symptoms of cold, the nasal discharge may thicken within two to three days and get darker in color.

In normal cases, fever do not develop, as it is more associated with influenza, which is often mistaken as cold. But many people experience chills and not fever when infected with cold. It has been observed that some kids develop fever along with common cold. In some people, common cold can lead to acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, sinusitis, croup, pneumonia, otitis media, or strep throat. It can also aggravate the symptoms of asthma and chronic bronchitis.

How Long Does a Cold Last?

This is a question that can never be answered in definite terms and very accurately. Usually, the symptoms of cold appear after two to three days of getting exposed to the virus. Such symptoms will be more severe during the first three to four days, and this period is considered to be the most contagious phase. But the person who has suffered cold can pass on the virus to others, for up to three weeks after the symptoms appear. In normal cases, cold symptoms may subside within five days to one week, but in some people it may take up to two weeks to clear up. As said earlier, its duration can vary quite erratically depending on various factors like the physical condition of the affected person, the type of virus, location, amount of care taken, etc. In most cases, proper care is sufficient to reduce the discomfort and to remedy the condition, at the earliest.

So, common cold is a condition that may last for a week or two (very few may have it for three weeks too). If the symptoms last for more than ten days, seek medical attention to rule out the possibility of other conditions like bacterial infections. This is applicable for those who find no respite from the cold symptoms, even after a week. If the symptoms are getting severe, then also medical attention should be sought at the earliest. Some may develop symptoms (like fever, wheezing, breathing trouble, earache, etc.) that are usually not associated with cold. In such cases too, you must consult your doctor and get the condition diagnosed and treated. Now that you have a brief idea about how long does cold last, let us take a look at how to treat cold.

How to Treat a Cold?

In fact, there is no specific cure for common cold. You may go for over-the-counter medicines that can help to reduce the symptoms or try home remedies for the same. Such over-the-counter medicines include cough syrups to reduce cough, throat sprays or lozenges to alleviate sore throat, antihistamines for nasal congestion and analgesics for fever and headache. Make sure not to give aspirin and cough syrup to children under the age of four. Antibiotics are not effective against common cold, as it is targeted at bacteria and there is no approved antiviral against cold. In almost all cases, symptoms of cold subside on their own, within a time span that may vary from one person to another. But, proper care can help you in reducing the severity of the condition and in recovering soon.

• Drink lots of warm fluids and take rest
• Avoid sugary and oily foods
• Include warm herbal teas and chicken soup in your diet
• Adopt a balanced and nutritious diet
• Try to get organic food, especially, milk, chicken and eggs
• Gargle with warm salt water
• Try steam inhalation for reducing nasal congestion

It is also said that zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D supplements are good for getting rid of cold. In that case, it will be better to consult your doctor and take the supplements as per his/her advice. Even herbs and spices are believed to be beneficial for remedying this condition. They include oregano, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cloves and cinnamon.

It is always better to prevent cold, as this disease is a self-limiting one. It runs for a specific period of time and subsides with or without treatment. You can prevent cold to some extent by maintaining personal hygiene, especially washing hands with soap regularly. However, it has been contended by some researchers that too much of hand washing with soap (especially, antibacterial ones) may make you more prone to cold and other such contagious conditions. So, regular hand washing with plain soap and water will serve the purpose. A good lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise will keep you healthy. Avoid stress and get enough sleep. All these preventive measures will keep you away from cold, to a great extent.