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The three most frequent symptoms of a cold are:
Adults and older children with colds generally have minimal or no fever. Young children, however, often run a fever around 100-102°F.
Once you have "caught" a cold, the symptoms usually begin in 2 or 3 days, though it may take a week. Typically, an irritated nose or scratchy throat is the first sign, followed within hours by sneezing and a watery nasal discharge.
Within one to three days, the nasal secretions usually become thicker and perhaps yellow or green. This is a normal part of the common cold and not a reason for antibiotics.
Depending on which virus is the culprit, the virus might also produce
Still, if it is indeed a cold, the most prominent symptoms will be in the nose.
For children with asthma, colds are the most common trigger of asthma symptoms.
Colds are a common precursor of ear infections. However, children's eardrums are usually congested during a cold, and it's possible to have fluid buildup without a true bacterial infection.
The entire cold is usually over all by itself in about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms (such as cough) for another week. If it lasts longer, consider another problem, such as a sinus infection or allergies.
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