Cold symptoms usually appear from one to four days after the virus enters the body. The cold can be spread to others even before any symptoms appear. Symptoms usually begin with an itch in the throat. This is followed by a stuffy nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Within two days symptoms develop further to a runny nose, husky voice, muscle aches and pains and headache.
Fever occurs in children but is rare in adults.
Symptoms then gradually improve. The majority of colds will clear up in a week or so. Some colds open the door to other illnesses. Bacterial infections may gain the upper hand when your defences are down. Bacterial infection may develop in the ears, sinuses, airways and lungs.