• A sore throat.
• There may be pain on swallowing.
• Sneezing.
• The nose begins to run with a water-like secretion which gradually becomes thicker and more yellow.
• As the mucous membrane of the nose swells it may be hard to breathe through the nose.
• An oppressive feeling in the ears.
• Headache.
• Coughing.
• A feeling of being unwell.
• A high temperature. Children are more likely to run a temperature than adults.

Usually a common cold causes no serious trouble and symptoms will clear up in one to two weeks. Possible complications include inflammation of the eyes, sinusitis, inflammation of the middle ear, tonsillitis, and pneumonia. The reason for these complications may be that a germ infects the irritated mucous membrane.