What are the main signs and symptoms of the common cold?

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Mike Murray, James Gaylor
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    The main signs and symptoms of the common cold include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and sometimes fever, particularly in children. A cold is generally milder than the flu, which can have more severe symptoms and may not include upper respiratory issues.

    One of the key differences between colds and the flu is symptom severity. Colds tend to be mild; the flu is often more severe, and the latter may not involve upper respiratory symptoms at all.[1]

    • Fever (common in children; less common in adults)
    • Runny or stuffy nose
    • Green or yellow nasal discharge
    • Sore throat
    • Coughing/sneezing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle aches
    • Headache