Course of a cold

introduction

The course, symptoms and duration of a cold can vary in each case of the disease. Personal anatomy and susceptibility to certain symptoms also determine the course.

In addition to the usual symptoms such as cough, runny nose and hoarseness, otitis media or pneumonia can also accompany the common cold. Whether such a course occurs depends on the exact inflammatory pathogen, one's own behavior during the illness or certain drug treatments.

Nevertheless, a conventional viral cold infection can be assessed and classified using rough rules of thumb.

One of the most popular rules of thumb is that a cold builds up for three days, shows full symptoms for three days, and then takes three days to resolve. Certain symptoms can be roughly assigned to each phase, but in particular the onset and sequence of symptoms can only rarely be predicted

Chart of the course of the cold

That's how long the incubation period is

The incubation period describes the period of time in which the infection with the pathogen has already occurred but no symptoms have yet occurred. The cold pathogens lodge in the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat, where they survive the first defense of the immune system and from then on multiply in the body.

This process goes unnoticed at first, only the first signs of weakness and fatigue can appear. The incubation period is only over when the pathogens have multiplied so much that subjective complaints such as sore throat and body aches occur.

With the conventional viral cold, the incubation period is usually at least 2 days. Longer incubation times can mainly be explained by the individual immune defense or the aggressiveness of the pathogen. The real flu, which occurs mainly seasonally, has a longer incubation period.
Bacterial colds must also always be differentiated from a conventional cold in terms of their course, their symptoms and the incubation period.

Symptoms of the initial phase

Even if the individual course of the common cold can be very different, there are typical early symptoms that are the first to notice the illness.

Immediately after the incubation period, there is a first phase of the immune defense, which mainly consists of lowering metabolic processes in the body and concentrating the immune system on fighting the pathogens. This manifests itself in muscle, joint and joint pain as well as a slight increase in temperature to around 37-38 ° C.

You might also be interested in: Why do you get body aches when you have a cold?

The first local symptoms, which can be traced back directly to the pathogen itself, can also appear in the throat, nose or mouth area. Often this is a slight scratching of the throat, but it can also be irritation of the larynx in the form of throat clearing or the first sign of a runny nose and mucus formation in the nose. Those affected often report a burning sensation in their nose.

Find out more about: Incubation period with a cold

Middle phase symptoms

The early symptoms represent a first riot of the immune system against the pathogens, which increases further in the middle phase of the common cold and is associated with the more severe and diverse symptoms.

This phase is characterized by the fact that the pathogens initially continue to multiply, but the immune system now fights the viruses at full speed and slows down their reproduction. The severity of the symptoms strongly depends on the pathogen and the immune system of the person affected. Young, healthy people can also survive conventional cold viruses with almost no symptoms. Only a cold and sneezing with a slight fever can be noticeable here.
However, more aggressive pathogens can still cause severe runny nose and cough, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, ear pain and, in an emergency, pneumonia.

In rare cases of weak people with severe flu-like infections, so-called "sepsis" (blood poisoning) can even lead to life-threatening courses. If the cold is accompanied by unusually strong symptoms and persists for significantly longer than a week, a doctor should be visited in order to be able to treat more dangerous pathogens or an immune deficiency in a more targeted manner.

Find out more about the here Symptoms of a cold.

For further important information, also read: Sore throat and difficulty swallowing

Symptoms of the healing phase

According to the rule of thumb, the high phase of the common cold is over after about 6 days, followed by 3 days of further healing.

During this time, the immune system eliminates the pathogens faster than they can multiply. Therefore, the symptoms slowly subside until they completely disappear.
The fact that the cold is coming to an end can be recognized, for example, by the fact that the cough is loosening, the mucus in the nose is becoming less and looser and the fever is slowly falling.

The general condition also improves and the strength slowly returns. However, strength and general condition can still be impaired a few days later.
During this time the body is susceptible to renewed infections, which is why strong stress, sport and other stressful activities should initially be avoided.

Duration of a cold

The duration of a cold can vary widely and is primarily dependent on the nature of the pathogen, its aggressiveness and quantity, as well as the state of the immune system.
Rules of thumb say that a cold lasts between 7-10 days. However, this is only to be assumed in adults with an intact immune system and a typical viral cold virus. Small children and older people often have to struggle with the common cold for a few days longer.

The typical cold, however, should not be confused with the flu, which occurs seasonally, especially in the winter months, and is significantly less common overall. The flu often takes on a more severe course, which is why not only the severity of the symptoms but also the duration of the illness worsens.

In the case of particularly protracted courses, bacterial inflammation must also be delineated. The immune system can often not fight the pathogen by itself, which is why it may be necessary to take an antibiotic.

Read more on the subject here Duration of a cold.

What is delaying the process?

The two main influences on the duration and course of the common cold are the type of pathogen and the immune system. The latter can partly be influenced by the person affected.

It is important to support the immune system during the illness and not to unnecessarily burden the body. Working prematurely or exercising while the symptoms are still subsiding can severely weaken the immune system, making the disease more difficult, delaying or returning after it has healed.
Furthermore, severe cold hampers the immune system, which is where the common cold gets its name from. The cold itself does not make you sick, but the immune system is weakened so much that one of the many pathogens that you come into contact with every day leads to the disease. It is also assumed that psychological and physical stress as well as excessive physical activity and an unhealthy or unbalanced diet have negative effects on the immune system.

However, the nature of the pathogen cannot be influenced. In the case of viruses, what is known as “virulence” plays an important role. The decisive factor here is how well the pathogens penetrate the mucous membranes, how quickly they multiply and how resistant they are to the immune system. The seasonal flu viruses are often much more stubborn than conventional cold viruses.
In particular, it is important to distinguish it from bacterial infection, as this significantly lengthens the course.

How can you strengthen the immune system? Find out more about this here.

What speeds up the process?

The course of a cold can only be influenced very slightly by taking your own measures. In particular, against viral pathogens, which are mostly responsible for colds, drug or home remedies cannot accelerate the disease.

That antibiotics should help against colds is a misconception that only applies if there is a bacterial infection or a superinfection. Unfortunately, antibiotics cannot do anything with a normal viral cold.

For more information, see: When do you need antibiotics for a cold?

Some home remedies, such as teas or inhalation, can alleviate symptoms but not speed up the immune system's elimination of the pathogens. A strong immune system is the most important factor in guaranteeing a quick course. The immune system must quickly recognize the pathogen, produce many defense cells and fight against the rapidly multiplying germs. For this, the body needs a lot of strength and energy.

Learn more about this under: Inhalation if you have a cold

The most important measure is to take sufficient care of yourself and to give the immune system the necessary energy and time.

More information on the topic shorten the duration of a cold, read here.

Bacterial superinfection

The bacterial superinfection is a complication of an otherwise harmless cold. Viral colds are much more common than bacterial. However, if the mucous membranes are already damaged by a viral inflammation, bacteria can settle there more easily and cause inflammation themselves.

Superinfection translated means that the pathogens lay on the existing inflammation. It is typical that the course and symptoms become more severe.
The cough becomes stronger and slimier and the runny nose tougher. It is also typical that the mucus that is expelled by blowing your nose or strong coughing takes on a yellowish-green color. This indicates festering processes that are atypical in viral colds.

In addition to the symptoms of a cold, the bacteria can cause inflammation in other areas. Often times, the superinfection results in tonsillitis, otitis media, or even pneumonia. The most common, however, is stubborn and slimy sinusitis. The bacteria that are responsible for such super-infections are in most cases so-called "streptococci".

Read everything about bacterial superinfection at: Cold caused by bacteria

How is a bacterial cold different from a viral cold?

Viral and bacterial pathogens can both cause inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and in the entire mouth and throat and trigger typical cold symptoms.

Viral colds are much more common, but on the other hand also more harmless. It occurs several times a year, whereas bacterial inflammation is rare. On the other hand, bacterial superinfections can occur more frequently as a result of an existing viral cold.
The mucous membranes are already damaged, so that the disease is relieved for the bacteria. Bacterial colds are much more persistent. They can make the classic cold symptoms such as cough, runny nose and hoarseness much more severe, but also cause sinus infections, tonsillitis and otitis media. The mucus that forms on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat is often toughened by bacterial pathogens and takes on a yellowish-green color. The duration of illness often increases with bacterial colds.

Antibiotic therapy often has to be carried out against the bacteria in order to be able to completely eliminate the pathogens. However, since these are not carried out lightly, a blood test or an examination of the mucus should first be carried out by the doctor to confirm the suspicion of bacterial involvement.

How do I recognize a delayed course?

A delayed course can be recognized by the fact that minor symptoms persist for an unusually long period of time.

A delayed course only shows that the pathogens are still in the body and the disease has not been defeated. Often too early stress on the body, if the cold has not yet completely subsided, is behind the delayed course. In this case, the immune system does not have the strength to completely eliminate the pathogen, which is why the inflammation and thus the symptoms persist.

The most important measure is physical rest. This must be carried out for a long enough time under all circumstances so that the immune system recovers and then the disease heals completely. In an emergency, the immune system can be so damaged by the early exposure that the harmless cold develops into a dangerous infection with potential complications such as pneumonia.
If the cold persists despite physical rest, bacterial involvement should also be ruled out by a doctor.

Further information on the topic can be found here: What is a procrastinated cold?

How do I recognize a chronic course?

A chronic cold is when the symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks. There can be various basic problems behind this, which often cannot be influenced. Bacterial pathogens are often involved, which infiltrate certain mucous membranes and cannot be adequately fought by the immune system.
Chronic sinusitis is very typical. It is difficult for the secretion to flow out of the sinuses, so that even with correct treatment, the same pathogens are infected again and again, as these are trapped there.

Anatomical peculiarities such as enlarged turbinates, a crooked nasal septum or polyps are reasons for protracted and recurring colds. If the nose is permanently ventilated, personal immune deficiencies or special resistant pathogens can be behind it.

A clarification by an ENT doctor can reveal the various causes and should take place after about 2-3 weeks in order to prevent chronic courses.