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Colds can be caused by more than 100 viruses, so there is no way to determine the exact cause. Signs of a cold can appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. Note that a cold does not usually cause a high fever or extreme fatigue, and in most cases you can treat them at home without needing to see your doctor. Common symptoms of a cold may include: Runny or stuffy nose Itchy, sore throat Cough Nasal congestion Mild headache or muscle aches Sneezing Watery eyes Mild to moderate fever Fatigue Sometimes a cold can lead to a secondary bacterial infection in your sinuses. If you have symptoms of a sinus infection for longer than a week, you may need an antibiotic to help clear up the infection. Call your doctor if you have persistent symptoms such as: Fever and headache. If you have a high fever or severe headache, you should seek medical care immediately. Pressure in the forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, jaw, teeth, behind the eyes or at the top of the head. Nasal stuffiness, loss of smell, nasal discharge (usually yellowish green), or post-nasal drip (the sensation of fluid dripping down the back of the throat), particularly at night or when lying down. If your doctor suspects chronic nasal infection, also called sinusitis, you may need imaging tests. These tests can include an x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If you have severe symptoms of a cold or flu or have been previously diagnosed with any respiratory disease, you should seek professional care immediately. Symptoms that should be checked out by a doctor or in the emergency room include: A cough with green to yellowish phlegm or blood. Wheezing or shortness of breath. A high fever (101.3F (38.5C) or more). You should also see the doctor if you have a fever that lasts more than 5 days or goes away and then returns, and seek emergency care if you have a fever of 104F (40C) or higher. Severe headache, throat pain, or sinus pain. A skin rash, especially with a fever and throat pain. Babies are especially susceptible to the common cold since they haven't developed immunity to common infections and are often around other children who may not always wash their hands. Early symptoms of a cold in babies are congested or runny nose, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, irritability, difficulty sleeping or feeding, cough, and a low-grade fever. If your baby is younger than 2 to 3 months of age, you should see a doctor early in the illness. See your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if your baby has a temperature higher than 100.4F (38.0C), has red eyes or eye discharge, has trouble breathing or is bluish around the lips and mouth, coughs up blood or coughs hard enough to cause vomiting, and refuses to nurse or accept fluids. You should also take your child to the doctor if they have a fever that lasts longer than 2 days or if they experience ear pain, a headache or cough, extreme sleepiness, or symptoms that get worse or fail to improve over the course of 2-3 days. If your symptoms do not go away after 8 weeks or interfere with your daily activities, your doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, who can check your ears, nose, and throat. The ENT specialist will look to see if your symptoms are from an underlying cause, such as a viral or bacterial infection. You should tell your doctor about any other respiratory conditions you may have. An ENT specialist can also perform a nasal endoscopy using a fiberoptic scope. The scope can look at your sinuses for nasal polyps or other structural problems if you have nasal infection. The specialist may suggest an endoscopic sinus surgery.
Manage common cold symptoms at home. Call your doctor if you suspect you have a sinus infection. Get medical attention if you have severe symptoms. Take your baby or small child to the doctor for severe symptoms. Consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist for persistent symptoms.