Symptoms of the middle phase | Course of a cold

Symptoms of the middle phase

The early symptoms represent an initial rebound of the immune system against the pathogens, which increases in the middle phase of the cold and is accompanied by the more severe and varied symptoms. This phase is characterized by the fact that the pathogens initially continue to multiply, but the immune system now fights the viruses at full speed and slows down their reproduction. The severity of the symptoms is strongly dependent on the pathogen and the immune defense of the person affected.

Young, healthy individuals can also survive conventional cold viruses almost without symptoms. Only a sniffling and sneezing with a slight fever can make itself felt. More aggressive pathogens can, however, continue to cause severe rhinitis and coughing, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, earaches and, in an emergency, pneumonia. In rare cases in weakened persons with severe flu-like infections, a so-called “sepsis” (blood poisoning) can even lead to life-threatening courses.If the cold is accompanied by unusually strong symptoms and lasts significantly longer than a week, a doctor’s visit should be made to treat more dangerous pathogens or an immune deficiency in a more targeted manner.

Symptoms of the healing phase

According to the rule of thumb, the peak phase of the cold is completed after about 6 days, followed by 3 days of further healing. During this time the immune system eliminates the pathogens faster than they can multiply. That is why the symptoms also slowly subside until they disappear completely.

That the cold is coming to an end can be seen, for example, by the fact that the cough is loosening, the mucus in the nose is becoming less and looser and the fever is slowly falling. The general condition also improves and strength slowly returns. However, the strength and general condition may still be impaired a few days later. During this time, the body is susceptible to new infections, so strong stress, sports and other stressful activities should be avoided for the time being.