Common Cold: Systems Affected, Symptoms & Impact

The common cold primarily affects the respiratory system, causing inflammation of nose, throat, sinuses, airways: runny nose, congestion, sore throat, sneezing, cough.

Other systems may be involved:

• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (some people).
• Neurologic: Headaches, fatigue, malaise from inflammatory response.
• Musculoskeletal: Muscle aches, joint pain from systemic inflammation or dehydration.
• Ocular: Redness, swelling, tearing of eyes.

Symptoms are usually mild, self-resolving, and vary in combination/severity. Most affected systems are directly or indirectly influenced by respiratory tract inflammation and viral replication.