Symptoms are the signs and feelings that you have when you have a disease or health problem. Symptoms show that your immune system is working hard to fight the disease or condition. They also let you know that it is time to see your doctor. Different diseases have different symptoms.
A sore throat is one of the first symptoms of a cold. Next, mucus starts to build up in your nose and sinuses. This causes a runny nose and clogs your airways, leading to coughing and sneezing. The coughing helps get the mucus out of your body. Many people who have a cold experience a headache because of the pressure building up in their sinuses. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, clear broth, juice or warm lemon water with honey, may help loosen the mucus and ease your congestion. Avoid liquids with caffeine, such as soda and coffee, because they can make dehydration worse.
You are most contagious during the first 2 or 3 days of a cold. This is because the germs that cause a cold are spread through person-to-person contact, or by touching your eyes, nose and mouth after coughing or sneezing into them. Try to stay away from other people when you have a cold and wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Sometimes, a symptom in one part of your body can be a sign that something else is wrong. For example, if you have high blood pressure, your heart rate rises even though you don’t feel any pain. You might not know that you have a heart condition until it leads to a stroke or another serious medical event.