Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Acute viral nasopharyngitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [2]

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]

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

  • Symptoms usually resolve within 7-10 days.[6]
  • Cough may persist for a few weeks after the resolution of symptoms.
References

References

  1. “Common Cold Centre”. Cardiff University. 2006.
  2. 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.
  3. Nordenberg, Tamar (May 1999). “Colds and Flu: Time Only Sure Cure”. Food and Drug Administration.
  4. “Common Cold”. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
  5. “A Survival Guide for Preventing and Treating Influenza and the Common Cold”. American Lung Association. August 2005.
  6. Heikkinen T, Järvinen A (2003). “The common cold”. Lancet. 361 (9351): 51–9. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12162-9. PMID 12517470.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH