4 Signs Your Cold is Getting Better: Everything You Need To Know

• The common cold is a respiratory infection caused by many different virus strains, such as rhinovirus.
• On average, cold symptoms will last between 7–10 days, though some symptoms, such as a cough, may last up to 14 days. Some people may have a lingering cough for longer than 14 days, called a post-viral cough and it is mostly allergic in nature.
• If symptoms persist beyond this or worsen, you should see a doctor for further treatment options.

The cold is a group of common respiratory viruses that can cause a runny nose, scratchy throat, and other cold symptoms. Once symptoms start, it’s normal to wonder when a cold might go away. For many people, the best medicine is time (plus possibly some over-the-counter cold medicine, getting enough sleep, and eating foods that support the immune system). Typically, there are signs that a cold is getting better, including the four outlined below. 

A cold is an upper respiratory infection that affects your nose, sinuses, and throat. It’s known as ​“the common cold” due to the ease the viruses spread—according to the American Lung Association the average adult will likely experience 2 to 3 colds each year.

There are 200 different cold virus strains that can cause the infection, and the viruses easily spread through contact or the air.

Cold Vs. Flu: Are They the Same?

While the cold and flu (influenza) are sometimes used interchangeably, they aren’t the same. It can be easy to mistake the two due to an overlap of similar symptoms and because both are respiratory illnesses. However, the flu is caused only by influenza virus strains, whereas a cold is caused by many different viruses.

Typically, flu symptoms will be more intense than most cold symptoms, though it’s worth noting that those with a cold are more likely to experience congestion in the nasal passages, aka a runny or stuffy nose, than those with the flu. 

However, without getting specific tests done by a doctor, it’s almost impossible to distinguish between the two based on symptoms alone. Influenza infections can cause more severe complications in patients with predisposed conditions such as chronic medical issues such as COPD, Asthma and Diabetes.

Common Cold Symptoms

As the cold virus spreads, your immune system works to fight off the infection, which can result in the following symptoms:

Typical cold symptoms include:

• Sore throat or scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Nasal congestion
• Nasal discharge
• Sinus infection
• Muscle aches
• Chills and fever sometimes.

Once symptoms begin, the cold progresses to the active stage. Certain actions, such as eating foods that increase inflammation or contracting other illnesses can make symptoms worse. Certain people, including children, people who are immunocompromised, and older adults make experience more symptoms, including other symptoms than the ones on this list, as their cold progresses.

3 Stages of a Cold:

If you develop a cold, there are three stages you are likely to experience. These stages contain different symptoms, and some stages last longer than others.

Stage 1

In the first stage, cold symptoms will feel mild. The first and most notable sign is usually a sore throat, though you may also experience a mild runny nose, congestion, and fatigue.

This early stage of cold will usually last between 1–2 days.

Stage 2

During the second stage, cold symptoms will increase. This is the period where you may feel the most sick or the symptoms will feel most intense. During the second stage, in addition to the sore throat, runny most, and fatigue, the symptoms usually include:

• Body aches
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Cough with or without phlegm.

Stage 3

In the third stage, cold symptoms peak and begin to fade. The symptoms usually feel milder, and may even fully disappear as your body begins to return to normal. Remaining symptoms during this time usually include:

• Fatigue
• Congestion, though often less nasal congestion than in stage 2
• Cough

As the cold enters the late stage, you may also want to think of ways to prevent colds, such as eating a nutritious diet, drinking warm fluids like tea, washing hands often, and not sharing towels and other items with those who feel unwell.

As you move through the different stages, you’ll want to know if you’re treating the cold symptoms correctly and if the cold is going away. While it’s hard to pinpoint exact dates and timelines, there are a few signs that your cold is getting better.

1. Cold Symptoms Fade

Most colds tend to last about a week, meaning that towards the end, your cold symptoms should lessen and begin to fade.

If, after a week, your symptoms have worsened, there is little evidence that home remedies will help. If this is the case, you’ll want to contact your primary care physician for evaluation and treatment.

2. Timeframe

Most colds last for approximately one week. While there isn’t an exact way to calculate how long your cold will last, if it’s been between 7–10 days since you first developed the cold symptoms, you may begin to notice signs your body is fighting a cold, such as reduced congestion or improved energy levels.

Naturally, if your symptoms have only become worse or haven’t lessened after 10 days, you will want to seek further medical attention.

3. Increase in Energy

During a cold, your immune system is working overtime to fight the infection, which can leave you feeling physically and mentally drained. Furthermore, many people with colds note feeling achy, lethargic, and mentally foggy. As your cold nears the end, you may start to notice you’re getting your energy back, which is often a good sign.

4. Mucus is Clearer

During a cold, having a runny nose or a consistent cough to help remove mucus from your body is common. The mucus usually shows up in a grayish or yellowish color. This color mucus means a cold is still active.

When your cold is improving, you may still have a cough for 2–3 weeks after and a runny nose during the last stage of a cold, but if the mucus is clearing up, it’s a sign you’re healing.

Given how easily the common cold spreads, you may feel cautious returning to work or other activities that place you around large groups of people until you’re certain you are no longer contagious.

Typically, a person is considered contagious from a few days prior to symptoms appearing until all the symptoms are gone. This can leave a person contagious for up to two weeks. When the symptoms are at their most intense, around stage 2 of a cold, there is q higher likelihood of spreading the virus.

If you must return to work or another activity before all symptoms have faded (including a cough), there are some precautions you can take to reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus:

• Wearing a face mask: wearing a mask can reduce the virus spreading due to droplets that enter the air from your mouth, which another person could breathe in.
• Avoid close contact: keep your distance from others as much as possible, even when symptoms are mild.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing: a cough is often the longest lingering symptom of a cold, so covering your nose and mouth when coughing is important to ensure you’re not spreading droplets containing the virus to others.
• Wash your hands frequently: While this may feel like common sense, washing your hands regularly can help reduce the likelihood of spreading germs to others.

Cold symptoms are unpleasant, but there are ways you can help reduce the severity and pain associated with the illness, including:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Staying hydrated
• Use saline drops or nose drops to help with runny/​stuffy nose
• Take a hot shower
• Use throat lozenges to soothe a sore throat
• Take over-the-counter medications for cold symptoms, such as pain relievers or cough medicine
• Eat foods high in immune-boosting vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamins C and D

Can antibiotics help with a common cold?

When trying to take medications that help shorten or alleviate symptoms, many wonder if being prescribed antibiotics will help with a common cold. Unfortunately, the answer is no—common colds are caused by viral infections, and antibiotics are meant to treat bacterial infections.

Knowing this, antibiotics won’t help cure a cold, so it’s best to use over-the-counter medications to treat cold symptoms instead, such as:

• Pain relievers: NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve body aches, headaches, and fever. If you have kidney disease, contact your healthcare provider before using ibuprofen. If you have liver disease, contact your healthcare provider before using acetaminophen.
• Antihistamines: these may help with sneezing and a runny nose (ex. Benadryl), however, they can cause drowsiness.
• Decongestants: these can help with decongestion (ex. Sudafed). Monitor your blood pressure when taking decongestants as they may raise your blood pressure.
• Cough suppressants: these can help reduce the amount of coughing (ex., Robitussin, Dayquil, Nyquil)
• Expectorants: these can help loosen and thin mucus, making it easier to leave your body (ex. Mucinex)

While most colds will often resolve themselves with rest and medication, they can occasionally lead to further complications if they persist for a long period of time.

It may be time to see a doctor about your cold if:

• You have lingering symptoms that aren’t fading, such as a sore throat
• If you have a high fever that lasts more than 4 days
• Trouble breathing
• If you have symptoms that improve, then suddenly return
• If you have a cough that continues after 14 days