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It's not uncommon to catch a cold in winter. This common illness is a straightforward viral infection of the respiratory tract. A runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat often go hand in hand with a cold. What are the symptoms of a cold, and when should you see a doctor? Feeli advises you.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

What is commonly called a cold is a viral or acute rhinitis. This infection of the upper respiratory tract - the nose, nasal passages and throat - is caused by one of around 200 viruses capable of causing a cold. Rhinoviruses are among the most common viruses behind a cold in adults. The first symptoms in a patient generally appear about two days after being infected: red eyes, sneezing, a sore throat, a blocked nose and a runny nose soon follow. Other symptoms may appear afterwards. You may also experience headaches, aching muscles, a general feeling of being unwell, chills, and it is not uncommon to have watery eyes or a cough. In most cases, a cold clears up on its own after 2 to 7 days, depending on the case and the person. Sometimes the illness lasts 15 days and other symptoms can appear, such as an ear infection, bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis or even asthma. Some rarer but more serious complications can occur, such as pneumonia or sinus inflammation. To treat a cold, it is best to avoid antibiotic treatments. Taking good care of yourself helps avoid any bacterial complications. Simple habits can be adopted to feel better more quickly and improve your health. Blowing your nose regularly, washing your hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose, rinsing your nasal passages with a spray, resting and taking painkillers all reduce discomfort and help you recover.

How can you tell a cold apart from COVID or the flu?

It can be difficult to tell a cold, the flu and COVID-19 apart, since these infections share a number of symptoms. Nevertheless, each of these illnesses has its own particular characteristics that can help distinguish between them. For a cold, the typical symptoms generally include:
 • An irritated throat;
 • A cough;
 • A runny nose;
 • Rarely, a fever;
 • Headaches.
Cold symptoms are normally gradual and mild; they do not appear suddenly. In addition, loss of taste and smell is generally not a symptom of a cold. The flu, on the other hand, is characterised by:
 • A high fever;
 • Chills;
 • Muscle aches;
 • Fatigue;
 • A dry cough;
 • And the typical symptoms of a cold, such as headaches, nasal congestion, an irritated throat, etc.
Unlike a cold, the flu comes on suddenly and the symptoms are also more severe. In addition, the flu also causes joint and muscle pain. Finally, COVID-19 is instead characterised by:
 • Breathing difficulties;
 • A high fever;
 • A dry cough;
 • Chills;
 • A loss of taste or smell;
 • Fatigue;
 • Muscle aches and an irritated throat.
Generally, the distinctive symptom of COVID-19 is the loss of taste and smell, unlike a cold or the flu. In any case, each person is likely to react differently to viral infections. Symptoms therefore vary from one person to another. Often, the only way to confirm the diagnosis of one of these illnesses is to carry out a screening test (PCR, serology, antigen, etc.).

How do you treat rhinopharyngitis?

A cold (or rhinopharyngitis) is a viral infection. There is therefore no miracle cure for it. Medical advice therefore focuses on lifestyle and taking medication to relieve pain and/or fever. Generally speaking, to recover from a cold, doctors recommend:
 1. Getting plenty of rest, to allow the body to recover and fight the infection;
 2. Drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated is essential, particularly to thin nasal secretions and soothe an irritated throat;
 3. Washing your hands frequently to prevent the virus from spreading. It is advisable to avoid touching your face as much as possible;
 4. Gargling. Doctors are not, however, unanimous about the effectiveness of salt-water gargling for disinfecting the throat;
 5. Taking painkillers for fever and pain (antipyretics), such as paracetamol or ibuprofen;
 6. Using a humidifier for the air, to maintain adequate humidity in the room. This can help relieve coughing and nasal congestion;
 7. Using over-the-counter nasal decongestants to help clear the airways;
 8. Eating a balanced diet;
 9. Avoiding irritants (tobacco, alcohol, etc.).
Lastly, remember that antibiotics are of no use in treating a cold, since it is a viral infection. If symptoms persist beyond 10 days, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner. Generally speaking, rest and hydration are an effective way to fight off the infection.

How long does a cold last?

Depending on the person, the duration of a cold varies, but is generally between 7 and 10 days. Depending on a person's immune defences, symptoms can also last for a shorter or longer time. Generally, cold symptoms progress gradually, starting with a period marked by a sore throat, followed by other symptoms such as nasal congestion, a runny nose, coughing and sneezing. After that, most symptoms start to ease after a few days, and the person then starts to feel better. That said, some symptoms such as nasal congestion and coughing can persist for a few weeks. If they do not gradually improve after this period, it is advisable to see a doctor, for example through an online consultation.