The symptoms of the common cold are really the response of our immune system to a viral infection. When a virus enters the nose, it causes an inflammatory condition of the cells contained inside it and damages them. These cells react to the infection, and set the body’s immune and nervous systems into motion. Together, the systems stimulate the excretion of specific substances (hystamine, chinine and prostaglandin) which dilate blood vessels and mucus secretion. In turn, this causes coughing and sneezing and stimulates nerve endings responsible for pain.

The symptoms appear gradually, usually two or three days after the infection. The duration varies, and symptoms can last from two days to two weeks. Most people recover in about 7-10 days. At times, the cold virus may also occur without any symptoms, which happens in about 25% of cases.

The main symptoms of the common cold symptoms:

• inflammation of the nasal lining, sneezing and tearing eyes, breathing problems.

• Sore throat is a frequent symptom.

• Coughing, usually slight and dry.

• Fever: infrequent in adults and in adolescents, but common in small children (never developing high temperatures).

• Headache may occur as an infrequent symptom.

• Muscle pain may occur in some cases, but is usually moderate.

• General pain is uncommon and slight.

• Slight feelings of general malaise and weakness may sometimes occur.