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Health & Wellness
Sniff, sniff, cough, cough, ah-CHOO!
Runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headache, mild body aches, low-grade fever? Sounds like the symptoms of a cold. And when you feel miserable, a cold can seem never-ending. But how long will you really feel sick? And how long do you need to lie low to avoid infecting others?
Get all the details on how long a cold typically lasts and at what stages you’re most contagious, so you know when you can expect to get back to your daily routine.
How long does a cold last?
Most colds last 7 to 10 days and go away on their own. The symptoms are often at their worst—meaning you feel your worst—within 2 to 3 days of the initial infection.1
When are you most contagious with a cold?
Easy part of the answer: You’re contagious the entire time you have a cold.
More complicated part of the answer: You’re most contagious within the first 3 to 4 days of symptom onset. That’s when forgetting to cover your mouth during a cough or sneeze has the greatest chance of getting someone else sick.
Timeline of a contagious cold
The timeline and symptoms of a cold vary from person to person, but in general, there are 3 stages: early, peak, and late. As you progress through the various stages of a cold, how infectious you are and your symptoms may shift.
Early stage
The incubation period is typically days 1-3 after exposure to the virus. You are contagious even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms yet.
Symptoms: Most colds begin with a tickle in the throat. Feeling tired and having a slightly runny nose are also common. This is when you might think to yourself: are my allergies just acting up?
Peak stage
The first 3 to 4 days of feeling sick are when you are most likely contagious.
Symptoms: At this stage, symptoms may be at their worst. You may notice a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, coughing, and mild aches in addition to your sore throat and fatigue. It's at this point that your symptoms more clearly indicate a cold rather than a seasonal allergy.
Late stage
For up to 2 weeks, you are likely still contagious if you continue to experience symptoms.
Symptoms: The bulk of your symptoms should begin to subside, but a stuffy nose and cough may linger for up to 14 days. Even though you feel a little better, you may wonder if this cold is going to last forever—but don’t worry, it’s almost over.
During the peak period, it’s critical to steer clear of other people by staying home from work or school as much as possible. As you feel better, it’s OK to get back to your daily routine. Just continue to use smart hygiene practices like wearing a mask, washing your hands, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue. You can also wash your sheets, towels, and high-touch surfaces around your home to get rid of any lingering germs.
Once symptoms stop, you can consider your cold—and your contagiousness—over!
Can you get tested for a cold?
No, you can’t get tested for the common cold. But the tricky thing about cold symptoms is they are often similar to those of other conditions like COVID-19 or flu. Each illness will require different treatments. So, your doctor may recommend getting tested to rule out those conditions and more accurately treat your symptoms.
Could it be something else?
Compare the symptoms of cold, flu, RSV, COVID-19, long COVID, and allergies. See what matches up most closely to how you feel.
Treating the common cold
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the common cold—although most cold symptoms will get better on their own over time.
But that doesn’t mean you just have to grin and bear it. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter options like pain relievers, cough medicine, cough drops, antihistamines (medications that block the chemical causing runny noses and sneezing), and expectorants (medications that make it easier to cough up mucus). Check with your provider before starting any new medications and follow the directions and dosages on the label. Other ways to feel better include resting, drinking fluids, using saline nasal spray, or putting a humidifier in your room.
Reminder: Even if you feel a little better while taking medications and resting, you’re still contagious. Arrange for help if needed
😊 Signs your cold is getting better
As you start to recover from a cold, you’ll notice that your symptoms are beginning to fade and your energy level is returning to normal.
Another indicator is that the mucus from your runny nose will look clearer, and you won’t be blowing your nose as much.
Some symptoms may linger, such as a cough or mild congestion. That’s your body’s signal to not let your guard down—you’re still contagious!
🤒 Signs your cold is NOT getting better
While most colds clear up on their own, they can sometimes lead to complications such as sinus infections, ear infections, or asthma flare-ups.
See a doctor if your symptoms don’t let up or worsen after 10 days. Seek medical care right away if you have a high fever, chest pain, ear pain, or trouble breathing.
Every cold runs its course
Colds can strike at any time of year, are highly contagious, and can make you feel miserable.
Even though your level of contagiousness does rise and fall, your ability to infect others doesn’t go away until your cold symptoms are completely gone. That means you can’t slack off when it comes to playing it safe with hygiene.
But the good news is that your cold won’t last forever. You can expect to feel well and get back to your everyday routine in a few days.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About common cold. Updated October 15, 2024. Accessed March 15, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html
