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Common Cold

A runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough from a virus in the nose and throat — very common, usually mild, and gone on its own within a week or two.

Get medical help right away — contact a provider or go to the emergency room — for:

Also see a healthcare professional for a fever that lasts longer than 4 days, symptoms that last more than 10 days without getting better, symptoms such as fever or cough that improve and then return or get worse, or a long-term health condition that gets worse (CDC, MedlinePlus). For a child older than 3 months, call the pediatrician for a temperature over 102°F, ear pain, or a child who is too sleepy or cranky (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Babies 3 months or younger: call the pediatrician at the first sign of illness (American Academy of Pediatrics), and right away for a temperature of 100.4°F or higher (American Academy of Pediatrics).

If you are at higher risk of severe flu or COVID-19, contact a provider right away even if your symptoms seem mild; antiviral medicines work best when started early (CDC).

What is a cold?

A cold is a mild infection of the upper respiratory tract — the nose and throat (MedlinePlus). More than 200 different viruses can cause one (MedlinePlus, CDC). Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause in the U.S.; others include common human coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses and human metapneumovirus (CDC).

How common is it?

Very. CDC says that every year in the U.S., adults have an average of two to three colds, and children often have more (CDC). Most children have around 8 to 10 colds in their first two years alone, and more if they are in childcare or have school-age brothers and sisters (American Academy of Pediatrics). Americans get more than 1 billion colds each year (NCCIH). Colds are one of the most common reasons people miss school and work (CDC).

How it spreads

Cold viruses spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, through close personal contact, and when you touch a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth (CDC) — for example after shaking hands with someone who has a cold or touching a doorknob (MedlinePlus). You can catch a cold at any time of year (CDC), though colds are most common in winter or rainy seasons (MedlinePlus). People are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold, and a cold is usually no longer contagious after the first week (MedlinePlus).

Symptoms and how long they last

Symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache and mild body aches, and usually peak within 2 to 3 days of infection. Any fever is usually low grade in older children and adults (CDC); young children often run a fever around 100°F to 102°F (MedlinePlus). Mucus from a runny nose often turns thicker and yellow or green within a few days — this is normal and not a reason for antibiotics (MedlinePlus).

CDC says colds usually last less than a week (CDC), and most people feel better after a week or two, though some symptoms can last 10–14 days (MedlinePlus). In children, a typical cold should slowly clear after 7 to 10 days (American Academy of Pediatrics). Some people are left with a nagging cough for up to two months after a respiratory infection (Cleveland Clinic).

A cold can sometimes lead to ear or sinus infections, and to more serious problems such as asthma attacks, bronchitis or pneumonia, or make long-term conditions such as COPD and heart failure worse (CDC). Colds are the most common trigger of wheezing in children with asthma (MedlinePlus) — see our Asthma guide — and a cold can turn into a chest cold; see Bronchitis. We plan a separate Sinus guide.

Cold, flu, COVID-19 or allergies?

  • Flu is caused by different viruses (CDC). Its symptoms are usually more intense and come on more suddenly, while a stuffy nose is more likely with a cold; colds generally don’t cause serious health problems, but flu can (CDC). Fever and chills are more likely with flu, and adults don’t usually get a fever with a cold (Cleveland Clinic). We plan a separate Flu guide.
  • COVID-19, flu and RSV can cause cold-like symptoms but are not colds, and they are more likely to cause severe illness (CDC). A change in or loss of taste or smell is more frequent with COVID-19, and you cannot tell flu from COVID-19 by symptoms alone — testing is needed to confirm which you have (CDC). If you have cold-like symptoms and are at higher risk, CDC advises getting tested, because treatment for COVID-19 or flu works best when started early (CDC, CDC).
  • Allergies (allergic rhinitis, or hay fever) are not an infection: symptoms happen when you breathe in something you’re allergic to, such as pollen, dust or animal dander. Itching of the nose, mouth, eyes or throat is typical soon after contact, and pollen allergies may occur only in certain seasons (MedlinePlus). If you still feel sick after 7 days, your provider may check for allergies or a sinus infection (MedlinePlus). See our Allergies guide.

Why antibiotics don’t help

Antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses, including colds and runny noses — even when the mucus is thick, yellow or green — and they won’t make you feel better if you have a virus. Their side effects range from rash, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea to C. diff infection and severe allergic reactions (CDC). Antibiotics should not be used to treat a common cold (MedlinePlus).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Rest, fluids, a clean cool-mist humidifier, saline nose spray or drops, honey for cough (age 1 and up), and over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants or antihistamines for specific symptoms — antibiotics don’t help. A doctor’s visit is often not needed for a cold. Over-the-counter remedies: cost estimate being researched. There is no cure; treatment eases symptoms while the cold runs its course, usually within a week or two. Children’s cough and cold medicines, decongestants with high blood pressure, and doubling up on acetaminophen need care.
Chiropractic Being researched — coming soon.
Acupuncture Being researched — coming soon.
Herbal medicine Zinc lozenges, vitamin C, echinacea, probiotics and garlic are the remedies most often tried. Never use zinc products in the nose. Cost estimate being researched. Mixed evidence. Zinc lozenges may shorten a cold, with more side effects; regular vitamin C slightly shortens colds but doesn’t prevent them for most people; echinacea and garlic show no clear benefit. Check with your pharmacist first.
Massage therapy Being researched — coming soon.
MBHA Wellness Coach Handwashing, keeping hands away from your face, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, sleep and stress management, and keeping up with flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Cost estimate being researched. There is no vaccine for the common cold, but everyday habits can lower your chances of catching and spreading one, and vaccines protect against flu and COVID-19.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

There is no cure for the common cold, but treatments can help you feel better while it goes away on its own (MedlinePlus). A visit with a provider is often not needed (MedlinePlus) — see the warning signs at the top of this page for when it is.

1. Self-care that helps

2. Over-the-counter medicines, matched to your symptoms

Over-the-counter medicines can ease symptoms, but they don’t cure a cold or make it go away faster (CDC, MedlinePlus). MedlinePlus suggests treating each symptom on its own rather than buying multi-symptom products, so you know how much of each medicine you are taking (MedlinePlus):

Check with a provider or pharmacist, and mention any other medicines you take (CDC). We don’t list doses here; follow the Drug Facts label.

Children and cough and cold medicines. Never give a child under 2 any cough and cold product that contains a decongestant or antihistamine — serious and possibly life-threatening side effects could occur. These products are labeled “do not use in children under 4,” and children should never be given medicines made for adults (FDA). CDC does not recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 6 (CDC). The American Academy of Pediatrics says that for children 4 to 6, cough medicine should be used only if your child’s doctor recommends it, and that home remedies may sometimes work better (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Decongestants and high blood pressure. Decongestants and some cold medicines can raise blood pressure (NHLBI, MedlinePlus). Before taking the decongestant pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have ever had high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma or trouble urinating (MedlinePlus). If you take prescription medicine for another health problem, ask which cold medicines are safe for you (MedlinePlus). See our Blood Pressure guide.

Don’t double up on acetaminophen. More than 600 prescription and over-the-counter medicines contain acetaminophen, including many cold, cough and flu products, and taking too much can cause severe liver damage. Don’t take more than one over-the-counter medicine containing acetaminophen, and read the Drug Facts label before using two or more products at the same time (FDA). Some cold medicines contain pain relievers, so taking a separate pain reliever as well could give you a dangerous amount (MedlinePlus).

3. Antibiotics

Antibiotics will not help a cold, because colds are caused by viruses (MedlinePlus, CDC). Don’t ask your provider for antibiotics for a common cold (MedlinePlus). If a child develops a bacterial complication such as an ear infection or pneumonia, a provider may prescribe antibiotics for that (Cleveland Clinic).

What it costs

  • Doctor visit: often not needed for a cold (MedlinePlus); MBHA cost estimate for a visit being researched.
  • Over-the-counter remedies: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Most colds go away on their own within 7 to 10 days and don’t lead to anything more serious (Cleveland Clinic). Treating symptoms won’t make the cold go away, but it can help you feel better (MedlinePlus).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

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Herbal medicine

Many people reach for supplements and herbs when a cold starts. The evidence is mixed at best: NCCIH lists oral zinc, vitamin C (for people under severe physical stress), probiotics and honey among approaches that have shown some promise, and echinacea, garlic and vitamin C (for most people) among those with conflicting, inadequate or mostly negative evidence (NCCIH). Talk with your provider before trying any herbs or supplements (MedlinePlus). We don’t list doses here.

Zinc lozenges — mixed evidence

NCCIH says oral zinc lozenges may shorten a cold when started within 24 hours of the first symptoms and taken for less than 2 weeks (NCCIH). A 2024 Cochrane review of 34 trials found zinc may have little or no effect on preventing colds but may shorten colds already under way — with low-certainty evidence, wide differences between studies, and more non-serious side effects (Cochrane review, 2024). Zinc can cause a bad taste or nausea; long-term use of high amounts can cause low copper levels and reduced immunity, and zinc may interact with some antibiotics and penicillamine (NCCIH).

Never use zinc in the nose. Zinc nasal gels and swabs have been linked to a long-lasting or even permanent loss of the sense of smell; in 2009, FDA warned consumers to stop using several intranasal zinc cold remedies because of this risk (NCCIH). By 2009, FDA had received more than 130 reports of lost smell linked to these products (FDA).

Vitamin C

For most people, vitamin C doesn’t prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity (NCCIH). A Cochrane review of 29 trial comparisons with more than 11,000 people found that taking vitamin C regularly did not lower the chance of catching a cold in the general population, but it did shorten colds slightly; in marathon runners, skiers and soldiers under brief, severe physical stress, it roughly halved the number of colds. Starting vitamin C only after symptoms began showed no consistent effect (Cochrane review, 2013). Too much can cause diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps; people with hemochromatosis should avoid high amounts, and people being treated for cancer or taking cholesterol-lowering medicines should check with their provider first (NCCIH).

Echinacea

Echinacea may slightly lower your chances of catching a cold, but it’s unclear whether it shortens one (NCCIH). A Cochrane review of 24 trials found echinacea products have not been shown to help treat colds, though some may have a weak benefit (Cochrane review, 2014). Products vary widely, so results for one may not apply to another (NCCIH). Allergic reactions can occur and may be severe, especially in children, and echinacea may interact with some medicines (NCCIH).

Probiotics

A 2022 Cochrane review of 23 trials with 6,950 people found probiotics were better than placebo or no treatment at preventing upper respiratory infections such as colds, but much of the evidence was of low certainty; side effects were minor, mostly stomach and bowel symptoms (Cochrane review, 2022). Little is known about long-term safety, safety may differ between products, and probiotics have been linked to dangerous infections in people with serious underlying medical problems (NCCIH).

Garlic

A Cochrane review found only one suitable trial and concluded there is not enough evidence about garlic for preventing or treating colds; claims of benefit rely largely on poor-quality evidence (Cochrane review, 2014). Garlic can cause bad breath and body odor, and people who take blood thinners should check with their provider before taking it (NCCIH).

Other remedies

Geranium extract (Pelargonium sidoides) may ease cold symptoms in adults, but the evidence is very low quality, and high-quality trials of elderberry are lacking (NCCIH). See our Bronchitis guide for more on Pelargonium.

Before you try any herb or supplement, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A remedy that is safe for one person may not be safe for another — your age, health, pregnancy and the medicines or supplements you take all matter. Tell all your providers what you use (NCCIH).

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MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build the everyday habits that lower your chances of catching a cold — and of passing one on. There is no vaccine against the common cold (MedlinePlus), so habits matter.

Stopping the spread of germs

Sleep, stress and everyday health

  • Get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids, avoid secondhand smoke, and breastfeed infants if possible — breast milk helps protect children against respiratory infections (MedlinePlus).
  • Sleep, a healthy diet and exercise help your body get ready to fight off germs (Cleveland Clinic).
  • Reducing stress may help: in one NCCIH-funded study of adults 50 and older, those trained in mindfulness meditation had shorter, milder respiratory infections (mostly colds) than a comparison group, and exercise helped somewhat less. It is the only study of its kind, so the results aren’t conclusive (NCCIH).

Vaccines for related illnesses

Vaccines don’t prevent colds, but they protect against illnesses that can look like a cold and are often more serious:

Still being researched: Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage therapy. We add each approach once its costs and results are sourced. Are you a practitioner with experience treating Common Cold? Tell us.

Member stories

Living with Common Cold? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

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Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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