The first symptom of a cold is usually a sore throat. This is generally followed by sneezing or a blocked, sore or runny nose. Usually, 1 in 3 people with a cold will get a cough and feel unwell.
You will usually feel worse during the first 2 to 3 days before gradually starting to improve. Your symptoms will usually last about a week.
Symptoms of a cold
Cold symptoms can include:
- blocked or runny nose
- sore throat
- headaches
- muscle aches
- coughs
- sneezing
- a raised temperature
- pressure in your ears and face
- loss of taste and smell
The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes, symptoms last longer in children.
Cold and flu symptoms are similar but flu tends to be more severe.
Get advice about symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do
Cold
When you have a cold, it usually:
- appears gradually
- affects mainly your nose and throat
- makes you feel unwell but you're OK to carry on as normal
Flu
When you have flu, it usually:
- appears quickly within a few hours
- affects more than just your nose and throat
- makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal
Causes of colds
Colds are caused by viruses. They can easily spread to other people. You're infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes about a week.
Colds are spread by germs from coughs and sneezes. The germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading a cold you should:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cough into your elbow to stop germs getting on to your hands and spreading to other people
- use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
How to prevent catching a cold
The best ways to avoid catching a cold are:
- washing your hands with warm water and soap, especially before eating
- not sharing towels or household items, like cups, with someone who has a cold
- not touching your eyes or nose. You can infect your body if you've come into contact with the virus.
- staying fit and healthy
The flu vaccine helps prevent flu but not colds.
Treatment
Most colds can be treated at home. They will get better by themselves without any specific treatment. Drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest and eat healthily. Resume your normal activities when you feel well enough.
Talk to your pharmacist about products and medications that will help. Paracetamol or ibuprofen will relieve pain or a fever. Nasal saline sprays will help to clear a blocked nose. Over-the-counter throat sprays, lozenges and cough remedies may also help.
Be careful taking cough and cold medicines if you’re also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets. Do not take more than the recommended dose.
Some medicines are not suitable for children, babies and pregnant women. Check with your pharmacist.
There’s little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or speed up recovery.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics won't relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. Colds are caused by viruses.
Instead, drink plenty of liquids to replace those lost from sweating and runny noses. Get lots of rest and eat healthily. Do not ask your GP for antibiotics for a cold.
When to get help
Only contact your GP if:
- your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks
- you're finding it hard to breathe or develop chest pain
- your symptoms get suddenly worse
- your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery
- you're concerned about your child's symptoms
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes, or a heart, lung, kidney or neurological disease
- you have a weak immune system
Going back to work or school
Symptoms of a cold can be similar to symptoms of COVID-19. Do not go to work or send your child to school or creche with a cold.
You can go back to work, school or creche when your symptoms have been gone for 48 hours.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
