“What are the stages of a cold?”

What is called a "cold" is typically a mild viral upper respiratory infection. Symptoms will vary by the various organisms that can cause the infection. Common symptoms include: fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, and sneezing. The order in which they appear is too variable -- both by organism and by individual. Symptoms usually start out mild and get worse over the next 2-3 days, then slowly start to improve. It may take 10-14 days before most of them have disappeared. Because these illnesses are VIRAL, antibiotics, like Zithromax or Amoxicillin for example, do NOT help and should not be prescribed or taken. If symptoms resolve and then reappear or worsen, see your pediatrician.

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP