Symptoms of a cold

introduction

Colds are often referred to as mild flu-like infections. This disease is caused by viruses and affects the upper respiratory tract.
People with a cold have an acute inflammation of the nasal and throat mucous membrane, which then secretes watery secretion. This secretion clogs the nose and causes frequent nose-blowing.
The common cold is often associated with a mild fever and general fatigue. The patient feels weak and exhausted very quickly. Besides the usual symptoms, like cough. Hoarseness and a runny nose can occasionally lead to swelling on the roof of the mouth, which quickly subsides after the cold.

Course of symptoms

The course of a cold is by no means the same for everyone, and the severity of the symptoms can also differ from person to person. As a rule, each cold lasts an average of 7-9 days, whereby it runs in different phases.
In the first two days after the infection (so-called initial phase) there is usually a slight headache and aching limbs, a feeling of tiredness and fatigue and a sore throat or a sore throat Scratchy throat. Those affected also report a burning sensation in their nose.

In the following acute phase (usually on the 3rd to 5th day) the same symptoms appear in a much more pronounced form, but then there may be fever and a blocked or runny nose. In the late phase (days 6-9), all symptoms gradually subside, and under certain circumstances a dry, irritating cough may occur, which may even turn into a productive, expectorant cough.
Finally, all symptoms recede completely and, if the course is uncomplicated, there is a complete recovery.

Please also read the following article:

• Why is the voice often gone when I have a cold?
• Course of symptoms in a cold

Chart of the course of the cold

fever

A fever can also be a symptom of a cold.
Antipyretic agents are the aforementioned analgesics Aspirin © and Grippostad ©. But it can also be relieved with home remedies: leg wraps made from vinegar, which are renewed every twenty minutes, are good at reducing fever. The vinegar opens the pores, which increases blood flow to the lower extremities. This way, more blood gets into the superficial arteries and is cooled by the evaporation cold on the surface.

sweat

After the patient has just complained of freezing, he can sweat again in the next moment. The sweat is due to the fever. Cold Leg wrap made from vinegar, As already mentioned above, help quickly.
In any case, you should avoid going into cold air with wet clothes. Cooling down is not desirable because the body is already very weak.

Night sweats

Night sweats describe a symptom that is associated with excessive sweating during the night.
Those affected usually have to change their clothes or bed linen several times a night. The temperature fluctuations associated with a fever can lead to increased sweating at times. However, this is not strictly limited to the night. With proper night sweats, the cause is often another underlying disease.

Freeze

Against that Freeze if you have a cold, one helps Hot water bottle. Care should be taken to use a fabric cover to avoid burns.
Hot tea also alleviates the symptoms. At ginger-Tea, for example, the spiciness has a supporting effect.
In addition, one warms hot shower the body. As a side effect, the high humidity also clears the nose again.

a headache

Headache is a common symptom of the common cold.
To alleviate this, a walk in the fresh air is recommended.
If this is not possible, magnesium tablets can also be taken. Magnesium ensures that the contracted blood vessels are widened again and that the increased blood flow makes the tension headaches disappear.
At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that the body is supplied with plenty of fluids in the form of unsweetened teas and water. Fruit juices or soft drinks are not very suitable as a source of liquid, as their sugar content removes water from the body. (There is an osmotic equilibrium in the body).
If none of this leads to any improvement, analgesics can also be used (Medicines) are seized. In the case of a cold, aspirin © complex is recommended to relieve all symptoms. The active ingredient complex helps against headaches and fever and at the same time has a slightly stimulating effect. The general well-being improves again quickly. When taking it, it is essential to observe the package insert.
Remedies such as Grippostad © also help against headaches and fever, but the boosting component is missing here. Grippostad contains the pain reliever paracetamol and should not be taken if you have known liver damage. Here, too, it is essential to read the package insert before use.

Read more on this topic at: Headache with a cold
You can read why some patients get headaches when coughing in our article:
Headache when coughing - that's behind it!

Limb and muscle pain

Body aches are one of the classic cold symptoms. These are muscle pains that are particularly felt in the limbs, i.e. in the arms and legs. In response to the pathogens, various messenger substances are released in the body that are supposed to activate the immune system. These messenger substances circulate throughout the body and are not limited to the nasopharynx region. In the muscles, these messenger substances cause the pain receptors to become more sensitive. Therefore, a sore muscles-like pain is felt in the limbs, although no major strain has taken place.

also read: Why do you get body aches when you have a cold?

Earache and ringing in the ears

If earache occurs as part of a cold, a distinction must be made whether it is a pure symptom of the cold or whether the cold has developed into an otitis media. An otitis media is accompanied by severe pain in the ear (usually one-sided). Other symptoms such as fever, hearing loss or dizziness can also occur. An acute and violent onset is more likely to be an otitis media and this should be seen by a doctor. Earache as a symptom of a cold can occur, for example, if the infection spreads to the ear trumpet. It represents the connecting tube between the middle ear and the nasopharynx. Here, too, the mucous membrane can swell as a result. The ear trumpet plays an important role in equalizing pressure. However, if the mucous membrane is swollen due to the infection or blocked with secretion, pressure equalization can be difficult. The overpressure or underpressure that now prevails in the ear can also lead to ear pain.

The lack of ventilation in the middle ear can also lead to ringing in the ears. However, ringing in the ears can also occur in the context of an otitis media or a blocked external auditory canal. The strength of the ringing in the ears can vary a lot, but usually subsides after the cold has healed.

Also read the article on the topic: Dizziness with a cold

nausea

If a cold is accompanied by nausea as a symptom, there should be no cause for concern at first, as this - even if it occurs less often with normal colds - is a natural reaction of the body as part of the defense process of the viruses.
Cold viruses preferentially attack the mucous membranes at the entry ports (e.g. mouth, nose, throat / larynx), causing an inflammatory process induced by the immune system.
Among other things, when the body's immune cells attempt to defend themselves, messenger substances are released (Hormones) and inflammatory mediators, some of which are capable of breaking the vomiting center of the brainstem (Area postrema) to irritate and thus trigger a feeling of nausea.
However, if the nausea gets worse and further symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea occur, this can also be a sign of an (additional) bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract and a doctor should be considered.

Read more on this topic at: Cold and nausea - what could be behind it?

hoarseness

Hoarseness to the point of loss of the voice occurs regularly in colds with a sore throat. The entire nasopharynx and throat are particularly affected by the inflammation. This stresses the mucous membrane, which is why the voice can sound rougher or even disappear completely. In particular, you shouldn't smoke, as this would be another avoidable burden.

Symptoms around the eyes

In some cases it is quite possible that in addition to the classic symptoms of a cold (fever, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose), symptoms in the eye area can occur.
Especially in the case of infections with adenoviruses, conjunctivitis (Conjunctivitis) come.
This can be recognized in particular by the fact that the affected eyes burn and itch, are very reddened and more sensitive to light and begin to tear.
Especially in the morning after getting up, swollen and sticky eyelids can be noticed as well as secretion deposits (purulent or watery) in the corner of the eye. If severe eye pain and impaired vision also occur, these can indicate that the cornea is also involved (Keratoconjuntivitis) and a doctor should be consulted immediately.
In the case of simple, viral accompanying conjunctivitis without involvement of the cornea, healing usually occurs without consequences.

You might also be interested in this topic: Conjunctivitis

Jaw or toothache

Jaw pain, like toothache, indicates inflammation of the sinuses. Involvement of the paranasal sinuses is not uncommon for a cold. In response to the infectious agents, the body triggers inflammation. As part of this, the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses swells. The largest of these cavities, the maxillary sinus, borders directly on the upper row of teeth. The inflammation increases the pressure in the maxillary sinus, which also affects the surrounding structures and can cause pain in the upper jaw and also in the teeth.

In general, the upper jaw is affected more often than the lower jaw. However, it must be differentiated whether the toothache was caused by the inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses or whether there is damage to the teeth themselves. If the teeth are already damaged before a cold, tooth defects caused by pathogens can come to light during a cold, which were kept in check by the immune system in a healthy one.

Read more about this: Sinus infection and toothache

More symptoms

In addition to the frequent symptoms mentioned, there are also others that are not typical of a cold but can still occur in connection with it. These include back pain, neck pain, kidney pain, and abdominal pain. In a few cases, the reaction of the immune system can also lead to palpitations or shortness of breath. If you have a sinus infection, you may experience pain in the face or a feeling of pressure in the head. Diarrhea would also be very atypical. If several atypical symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted, as it could be a serious infection or other illness.

Also read the article: Cold and back pain.

Symptoms of relapse

A common cold cycle lasts about 8 to 10 days. During this period, the typical cold symptoms can be perceived in varying degrees. These should then show a clear improvement at the end of the cold.
A relapse would be recognized by the fact that symptoms that have already been experienced or new symptoms clearly reappear. There are no typical symptoms of a relapse, as they are different for each individual. It is important to note that physical exhaustion is normal even after the cold and a cough can continue for up to two weeks after the cold without this being considered a relapse.

Signs of inflammation of the heart muscle from a cold

Often times, patients with heart muscle inflammation are symptom-free after a cold. If symptoms are present, these can be very different and also differently pronounced. Those affected report feelings of weakness, tiredness and the typical cold symptoms, such as headache or muscle pain. The typical course of the disease, in which the permanent weakness is preceded by a cold, is groundbreaking. If the pericardium is also affected by the inflammation, pain when inhaling and chest pain may occur. In severe cases, symptoms of cardiac arrhythmia (heart stumbling) and decreased pumping capacity of the heart (heart failure) may still be present.

Read more about this: How do you recognize myocarditis?

Differences from a flu

The distinction between a cold and the flu cannot be based on individual symptoms. Rather, the course of the disease and the severity of the symptoms must be observed in order to make a distinction.

The flu typically starts very suddenly. It is associated with a high fever of up to 40 degrees Celsius and chills. In addition, other classic symptoms of a cold such as sore throat, cough, as well as headache and body aches occur in the course of the process. The patients report that they immediately felt very weak physically when they had the flu, which can also be explained by the sudden onset of the fever. The fever subsides after a few days. However, people with the flu will still feel debilitated long after the fever has subsided. Furthermore, more severe courses with strong symptoms are observed with the flu than with a cold. A cold slowly announces itself with symptoms such as slight weakness, a scratchy throat or runny nose. Compared to the flu, however, these symptoms develop over a period of a few days and do not appear within hours. A cold can also be accompanied by a fever. However, this rarely rises above 40 degrees Celsius. In addition, other cold symptoms can occur, but these are more mild. Usually, a cold subsides within a few days and the long period of weakness that is typical with the flu is eliminated.

More on this: Flu symptoms

Differences from pneumonia

In the classic case of pneumonia, a high fever suddenly occurs and the patient has a slimy cough. The mucus is greenish to yellow. Furthermore, the respiratory rate is increased and the patients have the feeling that they can no longer breathe properly. However, not all pneumonia presents with these typical symptoms. In the elderly, for example, sudden loss of consciousness may be the only symptom of pneumonia. If the pneumonia is caused by so-called atypical bacteria, the course is more gradual. Patients have only a slight fever, a dry cough, and headache and body aches. But they too have a feeling of shortness of breath. Especially with this form, distinguishing between a cold and pneumonia can be difficult.

Differences from an allergy

The typical thing about an allergy is the sudden onset of symptoms after contact with an allergen. Symptoms sometimes appear within seconds. This course is practically non-existent with a cold. An allergic reaction is characterized by symptoms such as itching, runny nose, or contraction of the airways.It can be difficult to tell the difference, especially if you have a cold. If the runny nose occurs around the same time every year, an allergy is likely to be the cause. If other cold symptoms are perceived in addition to the runny nose, a cold is the more likely cause. Depending on the type of allergy, even more specific symptoms, such as hives, allergic conjunctivitis or various reactions on the skin, can occur. Typical cold symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, and muscle or headaches, are less common with allergies.

Symptomatic treatment

How can one suppress or combat the symptoms?

Since a simple, uncomplicated cold usually goes away on its own and without consequences after 7-9 days, therapy is usually not necessary.

In addition, in most cases viruses are responsible, so treatment with antibiotics is ineffective.

Only in the case of a so-called second or super infection with bacteria with an existing viral infection can the administration of an antibiotic prevent a more complicated and protracted course.

Ultimately, only the symptoms of a normal cold can be alleviated and suppressed by resorting to symptomatic therapy in individual areas:

• the administration of painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used to lower fever and reduce pain,
• Warm throat compresses and / or pain reliever lozenges can help reduce sore throats and
• increased fluid intake
• decongestant nasal sprays and that
• Inhaling steam

can help a blocked or runny nose.

Read more on the topic: Therapy for a cold

How can you relieve symptoms?

In the case of a simple, uncomplicated cold, no specific therapy is usually necessary, as the symptoms usually disappear on their own after about a week. In this case, only symptomatic therapy can be used to alleviate the symptoms somewhat and support recovery.

1. This includes, on the one hand, physical protection (Refraining from sport and work) and the renunciation of noxae, such as B. Nicotine and alcohol.
2. On the other hand, it is important to ensure a balanced diet during the cold phase and possibly also take zinc to support the immune system against the viruses.
3. It is also advisable to drink plenty of fluids and inhale steam (chamomile or sage) to loosen mucus from the nasopharynx.
4. Pain-relieving lozenges can help against sore throats, fever-lowering and pain-relieving tablets such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help against fever and headaches. Hot neck wraps and generally gentle voice can also help relieve throat symptoms.

You might also be interested in: The cold bath

Homeopathy for a cold

As already described above, only the symptoms can be alleviated with a cold. The body has to fight off the infection on its own. It usually takes 7 days for the cold to clear up.

Homeopathic medicines for colds work very specifically and only with certain symptoms. It is advisable to consult an experienced homeopath or pharmacist. Homeopathic active ingredients are e.g. Aconitinum, Atropinum sulfuricum, Mercurius cyanatus, Belladonna or Nux vomica. As a rule, children can also be treated well with these agents.

Homeopathy and globules can definitely replace drugs such as aspirin complex or Grippostad.

Also read our topic:

• Homeopathy for a cold
• Home remedies for a cold

Duration of cold symptoms

Depending on which pathogen (mostly viruses such as adenoviruses or rhinoviruses) caused the infection, colds can vary in duration and course and are usually not always the same.

Hence there is the question of the Duration of a cold no general answer, it differs from person to person.

The duration depends, however, on previously existing underlying diseases (which e.g. cause immune deficiencies) and on complications that may arise in the course of the treatment. An additional or superinfection with bacteria, which can break through the immune system, which has already been weakened by the virus, or an inflammation of the myocardium, can significantly influence the course of a cold and extend the duration considerably.

On average, a normal, uncomplicated cold lasts 7-9 days, with roughly the same course of the initial phase, acute phase and late phase or decay phase.

Preventing a cold

Colds only appear when the immune system is weakened, regardless of whether the immune system has been attacked by the cold, stress or other previous illnesses.
Dry room air should be avoided so that the mucous membranes remain moist and cold viruses have no point of attack. Regular walks or jogging in the open air strengthen the immune system, make it less vulnerable to viruses and thus help prevent a cold.
Visits to the sauna also support the immune system. However, if you already have symptoms of a cold, you should never exercise or go to the sauna, as this is too much of a strain on the body.

Click here for the article: What is the difference between a cold and the flu?