Nick Gowen

Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Children's Hospital

I'm so ice cold I have to be measured in kelvin. I'm so boss I'm at the end of world 8-4. Colds generally last 12–14 days. Telling patients that colds last no longer than a week underestimates the actual natural history of an uncomplicated viral respiratory tract infection and leads patients to believe that symptoms that persist beyond a week are not normal. When the symptoms of congestion persist longer than 2 weeks, consideration should be given to other causes of chronic congestion (Table 26–1). Symptoms of colds include sore throat, congestion, low-grade fever, and mild myalgias and fatigue. In general, early in the development of a cold the discharge is clear. As more inflamma