Duration of a cold

introduction

A typical cold lasts an average of ten days. The reason for this is that the virus, which is the cause of the common cold, first needs one to three days before it can be perceived and attacked by the immune system. The duration of the symptoms afterwards is about a week to ten days, depending on how the body reacts to the virus and keeps it in check. The information on the duration of the individual processes in the case of a cold are average values, which can also be different individually and serve to get a rough overview.

What is a permanent cold?

Usually a cold lasts about a week and after ten days at the latest the symptoms should be gone. If there is still no improvement after several weeks, one speaks of a so-called permanent cold or chronic cold. A cold is caused by viruses. There are more than 200 known pathogens, but the most common cause of the common cold is infection with rhinoviruses. The viruses enter the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and cause a runny nose, sore throat and cough.
The infection attacks the mucous membranes, which means that pathogenic bacteria can multiply more easily. In such a case, in addition to the viral infection, there is also a bacterial infection. Doctors refer to this clinical picture as a superinfection, which can trigger a permanent cold. The symptoms of the common cold persist and the patients mainly suffer from persistent coughs. Stress, an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise also weaken the immune system and promote the development of a permanent cold. A chronic cold requires a doctor's examination in order to be able to rule out other diseases and to be able to treat the permanent cold with suitable treatment. Antibiotics are often prescribed to help fight the bacterial infection over the long term.

Would you like to know more about superinfection? - Then read our article: Cold caused by bacteria

Duration of a viral cold

A viral cold usually lasts seven to nine days, after which the symptoms are gone and the illness is over. The first symptoms of a cold include a sore throat and runny nose, which last about four to five days. After that, other complaints such as headache and body aches as well as a dry, tickly cough appear. After the symptoms have subsided, it is important that those affected rest and cure themselves for a few more days so as not to risk a chronic permanent cold

course

The course of a cold can be roughly divided into the incubation period, in which the virus does not yet trigger any symptoms, an acute phase of the cold, in which the symptoms appear and are most prevalent, and a subsiding phase of the cold, in which the symptoms are almost gone and the viral infection is over. The individual course varies in terms of symptoms and severity. The type of virus itself also plays an important role.

A classic course can proceed as follows: A sore throat and runny nose occur one to three days after the virus infection, which in turn can last two to six days. In addition, there is fatigue and possibly headache, which can last up to five days parallel to the cold and the sore throat. The cough does not appear until about five days after the onset of the disease, which can then last for five days.

Read more about the topic here: Course of a cold.

Chart of the course of the cold

incubation period

The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms, is relatively short for colds. Usually it is between two and five days. The viruses are transmitted by droplet and smear infection. The pathogens get into the air through coughing or sneezing with the nasopharynx secretion, are then inhaled by other people and attack the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. People with a weakened immune system have a shorter incubation period and often have more severe symptoms. They also need longer to recover from the common cold.

Also read our article on the topic: Incubation period with a cold

Length of sick leave

The length of time you are on sick leave with a cold depends on how severe the symptoms are. If the body temperature rises, the sick leave takes place at least until the fever has completely disappeared. Usually the doctor writes a cold patient sick for three to four days. The sick leave is important so that the person concerned can take it easy and the cold does not drag on. It also reduces the risk of infection in the workplace.

Read more on the topic: Can / should you go to work if you have a cold? or sick leave with a cold

Duration of symptoms

Typical symptoms are:

• Sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• to cough
• Exhaustion
• high temperature

The common cold and its symptoms usually develop within a day. In the first three to five days, several symptoms often appear at the same time and in different degrees. Then they continue to subside until the virus is removed from the body. So the symptoms of a cold last about a week. If the sick person does not take sufficient care of himself during a cold or if the immune system is weakened, the symptoms can last longer.

Cough: One symptom of the common cold is the cough. There are two different types of cough, productive and dry cough. The inflamed mucous membrane of the airways creates mucus. This settles in the lower airways, i.e. in the direction of the lungs, and triggers an urge to cough. The cough serves as a mechanism for clearing the airways of the mucus. The duration of the cough is composed as follows: It usually begins a little later than the other symptoms and lasts a little longer. As a rule, once the remaining symptoms of the cold have subsided, it shouldn't last longer than a week. Cough syrup or cough suppressants are not indicated here and are not recommended, as the mucus cleanses the airways.

The dry cough is most likely a dry cough, which can be treated with cough suppressants. If the cough lasts longer than a month, a doctor must clarify this.

More information on this topic: What is a procrastinated cold?

Does a cold last longer during pregnancy?

A cold during pregnancy is usually not a problem for either the mother or the unborn child. The disease can be treated with the usual anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol and after a few days it should improve. Usually, a cold during pregnancy does not last longer than a maximum of ten days. So-called super-infections can be dangerous if bacterial colonization is added to the viral infection. Pregnant women must be careful even if the elevated temperature and fever persist and should definitely consult a doctor in such cases.

Read more on this topic at: Common cold during pregnancy

How long should the sports break be?

The body signals through the symptoms that it needs rest. It is of no use to put even more stress on the body, which is battered by the cold, through sporting activity, as this can possibly weaken the virus defense. So if you do not stick to the protection, there is a risk of so-called procrastination. This means that the body has to put more effort into fighting the virus for a longer period of time. As a result, the virus can spread throughout the body. Either the immune system copes with the extra stress or in the worst case it can become one Myocarditis come.

Thus, if you have symptoms of a cold, you have to do without exercise. Especially if the lungs are more severely affected and a fever occurs. When sports can be done again cannot be said in general terms, but must be decided individually. If you still want to move and are not yet sure how the body will react, it is advisable to start with a walk.

If you start slowly again with the sport, it is important to listen to your body. During exercise, if the body shows signs that the disease has not been completely overcome, e.g. If breathing is difficult, the sport should be avoided for a little longer. It is important not to overwhelm the body right away. A slow approach is recommended.

You might also be interested in this topic: Exercise for a cold

Shorten the duration of the cold

The duration of a cold can be shortened to a certain extent by various measures, but there are limits here too. After exposure to the virus, the body or the immune system always needs a certain amount of time until it has formed enough immune cells that can then fight the virus.

This process and the incubation time can hardly be influenced. Nevertheless, the symptoms of a cold can be treated quite well, so that an improvement in the state of health can be noted after a short time.

You can find detailed information on the subject here: How can I shorten the duration of a cold?

Decongestant nasal sprays, painkillers for headaches or severe sore throats and lozenges can help promote the regeneration of inflamed mucous membranes. However, in order for the body to respond adequately to the cold, it needs rest, for example through a lot of sleep. A sufficiently high fluid intake can also lead to the body recovering more quickly and the duration of the illness shortened.Depending on the severity of the cold and the general state of health of the patient, the shortening of the duration of the cold is limited.

Read more on the topic:

• Therapy for a cold
• Inhaling if you have a cold
• The cold bath

How do drugs affect the duration of a cold

There are now a large number of drugs that can relieve typical symptoms such as coughs, runny nose and sore throats. Since the common cold is caused by viruses in most cases, it makes no sense to take antibiotics, as they are only directed against bacterial infections. Taking medication relieves discomfort, improves general well-being, and can shorten the duration of the common cold.

Read more on this topic at: Home remedies for a cold or when do you need antibiotics for a cold?

Duration of the risk of infection

The risk of infection with a cold can be divided into different periods and levels of danger. A cold can be contagious during the incubation period, i.e. when symptoms are not yet occurring.

As soon as the cold has manifested itself and shows the first signs, the risk of infection is highest. Above all, there is a risk of infection via droplets and smear infections. Therefore, nasal and cough secretions should be caught, for example, in a paper tissue, removed and kept away from other people. In addition, regular hand disinfection helps to pass on viruses through direct contact and thus also serves as a prevention against a cold for people in the immediate vicinity of the sick person.

The duration in which the risk of infection is highest is around two to three days. This is followed by a further week in which there is still a risk of infection, but to a lesser extent than before. It is important to note that the risk of infection lasts longer if the cold lasts longer. This is the case, for example, with multimorbid or immunocompromised patients or with newborns whose immune system has yet to learn its tasks.

More on this: How long is a cold contagious?