Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Acute viral nasopharyngitis history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Symptoms of acute viral nasopharyngitis include runny nose, cough, and sore throat.
History and symptoms
History and symptoms
The incubation period is usually around 16 hours; symptoms peak between the second and fourth days.[1]
- Common cold starts with sore throat. It usually resolves within 1-2 days.[2]
- Sore throat may be accompanied by fatigue and headache.
- Fever is not usually present. Fever usually points more toward influenza, not acute viral nasopharyngitis.[3]
- Then, nasal congestion, discharge, and runny nose ensue.
- Nasal discharge may cause nasal congestion, which interferes with sleeping and eating.[4]
Post viral cough
- Cough usually starts approximately after 4 to 5 days (along with the improvement of nasal symptoms).[5]
- Cough is usually milder than that of influenza.
Resolution of symptoms
References
References
- ↑ “Common Cold Centre”. Cardiff University. 2006.
- ↑ Eccles R (2005). “Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza”. Lancet Infect Dis. 5 (11): 718–25. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X. PMID 16253889.
- ↑ Nordenberg, Tamar (May 1999). “Colds and Flu: Time Only Sure Cure”. Food and Drug Administration.
- ↑ “Common Cold”. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
- ↑ “A Survival Guide for Preventing and Treating Influenza and the Common Cold”. American Lung Association. August 2005.
- ↑ Heikkinen T, Järvinen A (2003). “The common cold”. Lancet. 361 (9351): 51–9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12162-9. PMID 12517470.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]