Colds typically last about 7 to 10 days for most adults. Children may experience colds lasting up to 2 weeks, and they tend to get more colds annually than adults

. The progression of a cold usually follows these stages:

• Early symptoms start within 10 to 12 hours after infection, with a scratchy or sore throat and fatigue lasting a couple of days.
• Peak symptoms occur around days 2 to 3, including runny or congested nose, sneezing, watery eyes, low-grade fever, headache, and cough.
• Late symptoms can include nasal congestion for another 3 to 5 days and sometimes a lingering cough or fatigue, which may last several weeks in some cases

If symptoms persist longer than 10 days without improvement, or if severe symptoms develop (such as high fever, chest pain, or difficulty breathing), it is advisable to see a doctor

. In summary, the common cold usually resolves within one to two weeks, with symptom relief focused on rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications as needed