Yesterday you felt fine, but today your nose is runny and your throat feels scratchy. These could be the first symptoms of a cold, which typically appear in adults about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.
Most often, symptoms of a cold crest around day four, and go away on their own within 7 to 10 days, says Aaron E. Glatt, MD, the chief of infectious diseases and a hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York.
Cold symptoms vary from person to person and can include:
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headache
- Aching joints
- Fatigue
What are the stages of a cold? Typically, there are three.
Days 1 and 2: Stuffiness, Sore Throat, and Runny Nose
“Although you can have a cold start with a number of different symptoms, the most common first symptoms are congestion, runny nose, and sore throat — signs that the virus is directly affecting your respiratory system,” says Nate Favini, MD, an internist and chief medical strategy officer of Pair Team, who is based in San Francisco.
In this first stage of a cold, it’s especially important to rest as much as possible to minimize fatigue and keep your immune system at full power.
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Days 3 to 5: Cough and More Nasal Congestion (Including the Worst Day of a Cold)
As you get better over the next few days, the discharge tends to clear up. In the meantime, however, a cough may develop in response to postnasal drip, says Dr. Favini.
Days 6 and 7: Symptoms Ease (Signs Your Cold Is Getting Better)
The average duration of a cold is 7 to 10 days, and most people recover without any specific treatment. But cold symptoms may last longer or become more severe in people who have immune problems or other underlying health issues, such as diabetes, says Soma Mandal, MD, an internist and incoming medical director of women’s health at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City. If you have a medical condition that puts you at increased risk for complications, reach out to your healthcare provider.
Be aware that it may take up to six weeks for a cough to disappear even after other symptoms fade, Dr. Mandal says. Usually, this is due to postnasal drip, which can continue to form while swollen and irritated nasal passages heal, she explains.
Keeping a few things on hand can make weathering a cold a lot easier: cough medicine, tissues, a thermometer to check your temperature, and hot cups of tea.
Beyond a Week: Could It Be Something Else?
If you’ve been nursing a cold but haven’t improved after a week, if cold symptoms return often, or if you had started to feel better only to have them worsen again, you may be dealing with allergies or a sinus infection rather than a cold.
Symptoms commonly associated with allergies, which can last months, include:
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Clear runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drip
- Dry cough
Symptoms of a sinus infection, which can last anywhere from one to three months or more, can include:
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Pressure or pain around the eyes and forehead
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Tooth or jaw pain when chewing (especially of the upper jaw)
- Persistent nasal discharge
If you suspect allergies or a sinus infection, Dr. Glatt recommends consulting your doctor for a complete evaluation.
Distinguishing Between a Cold, COVID-19, and the Flu
As always, call your medical provider if any symptoms become severe or concerning to you. Be especially aware of the emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Someone showing any of the following signs should seek emergency medical care immediately:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
The Takeaway
- Symptoms of a cold — including a sore throat, congestion, and a runny nose — typically appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.
- Cold symptoms gradually build but resolve on their own, often without treatment. If your cold is lasting longer than a week with worsening symptoms, it could actually be allergies or a sinus infection.
- If your symptoms are more intense or include other changes, like diarrhea or a new loss of taste or smell, it could be a sign of the flu or COVID-19. Seek medical care for these or other severe symptoms ASAP.
Additional reporting by Andria Park Huynh.
- About Common Cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 15, 2024.
- Common Cold. Cleveland Clinic. February 7, 2023.
- Shmerling RH. Don’t Judge Your Mucus by Its Color. Harvard Health Publishing. August 1, 2024.
- Signs and Symptoms of Flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 26, 2024.
- Symptoms of COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 10, 2025.
Jane Yoon Scott, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowering them to understand and take ownership of their health, and encouraging them to ask questions so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions.
She graduated with the highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, then received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her internal medicine residency training and chief residency at Temple University Hospital, as well as a fellowship in infectious diseases at Emory University. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases.
When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Scott works with neighboring health departments to promote public health, especially to communities that have been historically underserved. She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee shop, weekend hikes, playing guitar, strolling through cities, sampling restaurants, and traveling to new places.
Beth Gilbert
Author
Beth Gilbert is a health and science writer for both consumer and professional audiences. She has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University and a master's in biomedical engineering from Columbia University.