Usually the fever lasts less than 3 days, and all nose and throat symptoms are gone in a week. A cough may last 2 to 3 weeks. Watch for complications such as an earache, sinus pain, yellow discharge from the ear canal, yellow drainage from the eyes, or fast breathing.

Allergy symptoms include:

• An itchy runny nose, with thin, clear nasal discharge and/or stuffy nose
• Itchy watery eyes
• Repeated attacks of sneezing and itching of the nose, eyes, or skin that last for weeks or months
• No fever
• Often seasonal (spring, summer, fall before frost)

Cold symptoms include:

• Stuffy nose
• Nasal discharge that is usually clear initially but can turn colored and thick
• A duration of 3 to 10 days, with or without fever
• Occasional sneezing
• Absence of itching