How Long Does It Take to Catch a Cold?...

LordHenriVoton / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MDMedically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MDCatching the “common cold” means you’ve been infected with an upper respiratory virus. Unlike the name implies, the common cold can be caused by more than 200 hundred different viruses, including rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and coronaviruses (not COVID-19).Part of the reason colds are common in children and adults is that so many viruses can cause the same symptoms. They’re also common because they're contagious. The common cold can be spread from person to person or by contaminated objects that harbor germs and indirectly spread illness. The likelihood of getting a cold from someone else and how long it takes to catch it depends on many factors, including your overall health and how long the person who exposed you has been sick.How Long Is a Cold Contagious?A cold generally lasts about 5-7 days, though it may last up to 10-14 days in young children.You may be contagious most of the time you’re sick. However, your ability to spread the virus to other people lowers as your symptoms improve and more time passes from the original onset of symptoms.You’re generally considered contagious if:You have a fever or have had a fever in the past 24 hoursYou have active or worsening symptomsYour symptoms started improving less than five days agoExperts don’t know precisely how long a person is contagious since it depends on several factors. You may still be contagious even when you’re starting to feel better if your cold symptoms only began two to three days ago. However, you may not be shedding as many germs or be able to infect others as easily as you could have earlier in your illness.You can generally return to your normal activities once you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving. You should still take some precautions to avoid spreading your cold to other people.This includes washing or sanitizing your hands frequently, keeping your hands away from your face, staying away from people with compromised immune systems, and possibly wearing a mask if you are in close contact with anyone.Stages of a ColdThere are several stages of a cold, and they generally align with the severity of your symptoms.Incubation period: Not everyone exposed to a cold virus will get sick with that virus. The immune system works hard to fight off illness, though it can’t always prevent it. Once exposed to a cold, the time between exposure and feeling ill varies by virus type, but it is usually about one to three days. You can still spread germs during the incubation period and get others sick, even if you feel healthy.Early stage: This is the symptomatic period. Telltale warning signs of a cold usually include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and scratchy throat. You may also have a fever. These symptoms are usually the worst during the first few days of a cold.Later stage: During the remission or recovery stage, you likely don’t have a fever and haven’t had one for several days. Your other symptoms may be starting to improve, but you might not feel completely better for several more days.How Does a Cold Spread?Colds are spread two ways: from person to person and by contaminated surfaces called fomites.Person to PersonColds are most often spread from person to person. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they send particles of the virus out into the air, which other people can inhale. As the virus hits your nose and lungs, it can cause an infection.You can also catch a cold directly from someone with hand-to-hand contact. If a sick person has cold germs on their hand and you shake their hand and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes, you can transfer those germs to your body.FomitesViruses that cause the common cold can survive on surfaces for several hours and be picked up by another person. If a sick person touches a doorknob after coughing into their hand, another person could infect themselves by touching the same doorknob and then touching their face. When To See a Healthcare ProviderViruses that cause the common cold are highly contagious but typically mild, coming and going without much fanfare—you catch one, feel sick for a few days, then recover on your own. However, sometimes a cold can develop into a bacterial infection. Sinus infections, bronchitis, ear infections, and even pneumonia can occur after a cold. People with asthma may experience flares after respiratory illnesses.See a healthcare provider if you have or have recently had a cold and:Your fever lasts four or more daysYou have difficulty breathingYou have trouble staying hydratedYou’ve been sick for at least 10 days and aren’t improvingYou start to feel better, but then your symptoms return suddenlyYou experience worsening symptoms from other chronic (long-term) medical conditions, like asthmaPrevention TipsSometimes, there’s nothing you can do to prevent the common cold. Most adults get a few colds yearly, especially during the cooler months. Children tend to catch even more because their immune systems are still developing.You can take steps to reduce the number of colds you get or prevent yourself from coming down with one after you’ve been exposed to a virus. Here are some tips:Stay away from sick people when possibleWash and sanitize your hands regularly, especially after being out in public or taking care of sick peopleDisinfect commonly touched surfaces or objects, like phones, doorknobs, countertops, and toysAvoid excessively touching your faceKeep the air in your environment moist Wear a face mask when you need to be in close contact with other people, especially sick peopleGet plenty of sleep, as it can reduce your risk of infectionEat vitamin-rich foods and consider taking supplements like zinc or a probiotic, which may boost your immune systemA Quick ReviewThe common cold is quite common. More than 200 viruses can cause it, and it’s highly contagious. Most people catch at least one or two colds yearly.After exposure to a cold virus, you may begin to feel sick as soon as one to three days later. You can reduce your risk of infection with a few basic strategies, like frequent hand-washing and disinfecting. If you get sick, know that most colds are uncomplicated, and you’ll probably feel better in about a week.Reach out to your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or don't improve within about 10 days. There is always a possible risk of complications that require treatment. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.

Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!

Source link

What's your thought on the article, write a comment

0 Comments

Sign In to perform this Activity

Account Frozen

Ads