Symptoms of the Common Cold

Cold viruses primarily affect the nose, throat, and possibly the voice box. Sometimes they progress to the middle ear, particularly in young children. Symptoms are generally mild, develop slowly and may include:

• sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose (mucous may be clear, green or yellow in color)
• sore or scratchy throat
• dry, hacking cough
• hoarseness or laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx or "voice box")
• headaches (are rare and tend to be mild if they occur)
• fevers are rare and if they occur they tend to be mild (100-102°F)(37.8-39°C)
• general aches and pains (mild)
• watery eyes
• loss of appetite
• fatigue, weakness
• chills
• general ill feeling
• swollen sinuses and mild sinus pain
• earache (particularly in young children)