Persistent cold symptoms in adults

Cold symptoms typically last seven days but may last as long as 10 days. Some symptoms, such as a cough, can linger up to three weeks. A head cold causes symptoms that affect your head, such as a runny or stuffy nose.

A chest cold, in contrast, typically causes a cough and chest congestion.

Adults tend to have two to three colds per year.

I've had a cold for 3 weeks

The average child, in contrast, has seven to 10 colds per year. You can usually treat a cold at home by getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated.

How Long Do Colds Last?

The typical cold lasts between seven and 10 days.

Do not worry if your symptoms last longer.

Worst day of common cold

This is just the typical duration, meaning it's not out of the ordinary if your cold lasts a little longer than 10 days. A runny or stuffy nose (congestion) can last up to two weeks.

You might have lingering symptoms for days or even weeks after your cold has gone away.

This is known as a post-viral syndrome, which mostly takes the form of a cough that sticks around for up to three to eight weeks.

Stages of a Cold

A cold typically occurs

how long will a bad cold last

how long should a severe cold last