Duration
In order for a cold to be considered chronic, it must have been present for several weeks. How long the illness lasts depends on several factors. A chronic cold can have clear causes such as a weakened immune system. As long as such a cause persists, the chronic cold can also last. Especially if a chronic cold is not treated and its causes are not found and fought, the illness can last for a very long time.
Forecast
The prognosis of a chronic cold also depends on its causes. Often these are easily preventable things such as excessive stress, lack of sleep, poor hygiene or a lack of important nutrients such as certain vitamins and trace elements. If these causes can be found and eliminated, even a chronic cold should heal without consequences.
But also serious diseases like AIDS or therapies that suppress the immune system can be the cause of a chronic cold. In this case the prognosis can be much worse. An exact diagnosis of a chronic cold is therefore important.
Diagnosis
The common cold is generally defined as an infection of the respiratory tract, especially the nasal mucosa and throat are affected. The diagnosis is usually made mainly on the basis of the typical symptoms. In a normal course, the cold symptoms subside after one to two weeks.
The diagnosis of a chronic cold can be made if the illness persists for a period of several weeks. It is also possible to have a recurring cold over a longer period of time, which can be an indication of an immune deficiency.
