MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cold symptoms

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Cold symptoms

Colds are caused by a virus and can occur year-round. The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Other symptoms include sore throat, cough, and headache. A cold usually lasts about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms such as a cough for another week.

Update Date: 1/18/2008

Updated by: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by D. Scott Smith, MD, MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (8/8/2006).

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