6 Types of Colds: Symptoms and Treatment

A cold is an upper respiratory infection that affects your nose, throat, and lungs. Common symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, mild headache, and a low-grade fever. They usually last about a week but can last longer in young children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems. Adults typically get 2-3 colds yearly, while children get them more often.

Colds spread easily. You can develop the illness when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes or when you touch contaminated surfaces before touching your face.

Over 200 viruses can cause a cold, but rhinovirus is the most common. Other viruses that can cause a cold include coronavirus (the common cold version), enteroviruses, human parainfluenza (HPIV), human metapneumovirus, and adenovirus.

Rhinovirus causes most colds, accounting for up to 50% of cases. While they can spread all year, rhinoviruses are most active in the early fall and spring. Rhinovirus spreads easily in crowded places like schools, offices, and public transportation.

Symptoms are usually mild and go away in 7-10 days. The virus can cause problems like ear infections, sinus infections, or breathing problems, especially for people with asthma or allergies. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cold caused by rhinovirus include:

• Cough
• Mild sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Mild fever (in some cases)

Before the emergence of COVID-19, coronaviruses were a known cause of common colds. Coronaviruses account for about 15% of seasonal colds. They usually peak in the winter but can occur year-round. Coronavirus colds are typically mild and last about a week, though they can lead to more serious issues like pneumonia (a lung infection) in people with weak immune systems.

There is a difference between common cold coronaviruses and COVID-19. While coronaviruses can cause both COVID-19 and the common cold, colds don’t require testing and can typically be treated at home.

You can and should get tested if you were exposed to or have symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. If symptoms of COVID-19 become severe, you may require hospitalization.

Symptoms

Symptoms of coronavirus colds include:

• Mild cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Stomach problems (less common)
• Low-grade fever (occasionally)

Enteroviruses are a group of over 300 viruses that can cause a wide range of illnesses. Some enteroviruses include rhinoviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and polioviruses.

While rhinovirus is the most common cold-causing virus, other enteroviruses—such as enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and coxsackievirus—can also cause respiratory (breathing) symptoms. Non-respiratory enterovirus illnesses that can cause cold-like symptoms include aseptic meningitis and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).

Symptoms

Common symptoms of respiratory enteroviruses include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Pneumonia (lung infection, in severe cases)
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Wheezing (high-pitched, whistling sound while breathing)

Common symptoms of non-respiratory enteroviruses include:

• Fever
• Malaise (general discomfort)
• Gastrointestinal (stomach) upset
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
• Muscle weakness

Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) can cause both upper respiratory infections and lower respiratory tract infections (affecting the airways and lungs) in children under 5, adults with compromised immune systems, and the elderly.

There are four types of parainfluenza. Types 1 and 2 are most common in the fall, while type 3 occurs annually and peaks in the spring and early summer. Type 4 affects people throughout the year. Types 1 and 3 are more likely to lead to more serious illnesses, including croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia, with varying symptom severity. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of parainfluenza include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or wheezing
• A cough or croup (infection of the airways)

Croup causes swelling around the vocal cords and is common in children 3-5. Symptoms may include a barking cough, fever, hoarseness, trouble breathing, and wheezing.

Parainfluenza can also cause other illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and tracheobronchitis.

Bronchiolitis, inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles) in the lungs, is most common in infants and young children. Symptoms usually start with a fever and stuffy nose, followed by chest pulling in during breathing (retractions), cough, crackling sounds in the lungs (rales), and fast breathing (tachypnea).

Pneumonia is common in older adults and children. Symptoms include fever, cough, rales, and difficulty breathing.

You may be diagnosed with tracheobronchitis if you have lower respiratory tract infection symptoms that don’t fit croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. Tracheobronchitis occurs when there’s inflammation of the lower and large airways. Symptoms include coughing, fever, and rattling sounds in the chest (rhonchi). 20-30% of children with lower respiratory tract infection symptoms are diagnosed with tracheobronchitis.

Adenovirus can cause cold symptoms that typically persist longer than colds from rhinovirus—sometimes lasting weeks or months. This virus is more common in early spring and winter, though it can occur year-round. Colds caused by the adenovirus spread easily in daycares, hospitals, military barracks, and schools.

Symptoms

Symptoms of adenovirus include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

Adenovirus is also known for causing conjunctivitis (pink eye) and bladder infections or diarrhea (frequent, watery bowel movements). It may also lead to more serious issues like bronchitis—inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. Bronchitis causes coughing, chest discomfort, and difficulty breathing. 

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) primarily affects children under 2. The average age of children infected with HMPV is 22 months. Studies show that by ages 5-10 years old, 90-100% of children get HMPV infections. HMPV is most common in late winter and early spring.

Healthy adults can also get HMPV, but they usually experience mild symptoms. In high-risk groups, like babies under 6 months and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, HMPV can cause more severe symptoms or complications. It can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Babies under 6 months are three times more likely to be hospitalized from HMPV than older children. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cold caused by human metapneumovirus include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

Determining which virus is causing your cold can be tricky, but patterns provide clues. A barking cough usually indicates croup from parainfluenza. A cold with pink eye likely comes from adenovirus, which can last longer than other colds.

Your provider might run tests to detect the virus type, but these tests are not usually necessary unless severe illness or complications develop. 

Most colds get better on their own in 1-2 weeks. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines can improve symptoms but won’t cure your cold. 

OTC medicines that can help you feel better faster include cough drops (not for children under 4), nasal sprays for congestion, and pain relievers to reduce fever. Taking supplements within the first 24 hours of symptoms, like elderberry, vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, or vitamin D, may also help to shorten the length of your cold.

Talk with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking supplements or OTC medications, as they can interact with other medicines or may not be suitable for those who are pregnant or have chronic health problems.

See a healthcare provider if you or your child experience:

• A cough that gets worse while other symptoms improve
• A flare-up of a chronic condition
• A high fever or a fever lasting more than four days
• Mild dehydration symptoms (dry skin or significantly less urine)
• Severe symptoms or symptoms that last more than 10 days 

Colds can sometimes lead to complications, including ear infections, pneumonia, sinus infections, or worsening of chronic conditions like asthma or heart disease. If you have underlying health issues, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider early to prevent complications. Pay close attention to young children and older adults, as they are more at risk for developing complications.

Seek emergency care immediately if you or a loved one are experiencing difficulty breathing, severe dehydration, or a persistent fever that doesn’t go away or respond to medicine.

There is no vaccine to prevent the common cold, but these tips can help reduce your chances of getting or spreading one:

• Avoid close contact (e.g., kissing or sharing cups) with others when sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch often
• Consider taking supplements like elderberry, vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
• For those at higher risk, avoid crowded places during peak outbreaks
• Distance yourself from people with colds, if possible
• Stay home when you’re sick to prevent spreading the virus
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

More than 200 viruses cause colds, but six main types are responsible for most cases. Rhinovirus is the most common virus that causes a cold. Other viruses that can cause colds are the coronavirus (common cold version), enteroviruses, parainfluenza, HMPV, and adenovirus.

These viruses cause similar symptoms, including a runny nose, congestion, cough, or sore throat. Some colds can lead to serious illness in babies, older adults, or those with weak immune systems.

Maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene can help prevent colds and their spread. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a cold with underlying health conditions like asthma or if symptoms worsen or last more than 10 days.