Prolonged Mild Cold: Possible Causes

Most colds usually last for a week or so with little recovery effort. However, even with plenty of fluids and rest, your symptoms may last longer than expected. The fatigue, coughing, and sinus problems may last several weeks. Or it might go away and come back again. Learning what causes a prolonged mild cold shows you what to avoid and gets you back on your feet quicker.

Health education offers knowledge and instruction to manage several medical issues, including lengthy colds. At Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn, NY, trained professionals teach you about proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management, all vital aspects of a healthy lifestyle. They also show you how to have fun and socialize to boost your mood and mental health, as well as maintain a positive outlook. 

Be aware that it is worth seeking medical attention even for mild symptoms, as you can never be certain of the exact cause of your prolonged cold.

Elderly woman with a prolonged mild cold blowing her nose with a tissue.

Causes of Prolonged Mild Cold

Your immune system protects the body from unwanted pests, including bacteria and infection.

Weak immune system

When this delicate system is compromised, those invaders take over, causing more frequent illnesses. Possible causes include medications, autoimmune disorders, and other medical conditions. Poor dietary habits also cause nutrient deficiencies, weakening the immune system.

Allergies

Allergies are often mistaken for a cold since they share several symptoms, including sneezing, fatigue, and runny or stuffy noses. But colds may also include fevers, sore throats, and coughs, while these symptoms rarely or never accompany allergies. If you already have a mild cold, an allergic reaction to pollen or other triggers may prolong your symptoms. In fact, the cold may actually be gone, but the allergy makes you think it’s sticking around.

Irritants

Irritants may also lengthen the duration of the cold. For instance, recent studies show that inflammation increases in smokers when fighting off a virus. The body overreacts to it since it’s used to fighting off the toxins from the cigarettes, worsening your illness. Air pollution also worsens cold symptoms, increasing inflammation, swelling, and fluid release.

Chronic conditions

A few chronic medical conditions cause more severe and prolonged cold symptoms, even mild ones. These include asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and a few others. Coughs are usually the most common symptom, but sinus or ear infections may also develop.

Secondary infections

Secondary infections result from bacteria spreading throughout the body after colds and other viral infections. Since they affect many of the same areas, it’s often believed the cold is lasting longer than expected or worsening. In children, croup or middle ear infections are common. Tonsillitis may also occur, and though rare, some develop pneumonia.

Stress

Stress can also cause flu-like symptoms, but when stress episodes occur regularly, they can lead to prolonged symptoms. Stress is a common problem in adults, caused by work issues, financial concerns, or losing loved ones. Inflammatory hormones are released during times of stress, and though beneficial for short periods, excessive amounts damage the body. Chronic stress also decreases white blood cells, which are essential for combating infections.

Other possible causes

Prolonged symptoms after a mild cold could result from a few other factors.

Experts believe poor sleep habits prevent the body from fighting illnesses. Like with stress, cytokines are released during sleep, encouraging you to stay asleep. Sleep deprivation or dental issues lower those helpful proteins, reducing your ability to fight infection. Not only does this increase the risk of illness, but it also slows recovery.

Resources:

  1. PubMed Central, Dec. 19, 2023, Effects of Malnutrition on the Immune System and Infection and the Role of Nutritional Strategies Regarding Improvements in Children’s Health Status: A Literature Review
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10780435/#:~:text=An%20adequate%20intake%20of%20essential,susceptibility%20to%20infections%20%5B5%5D.
  2. Mayo Clinic, Cold or allergy: Which is it?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/common-cold/faq-20057857
  3. Yale News, July 24, 2008, Study shows why cigarette smoke makes flu, other viral infections worse
    https://news.yale.edu/2008/07/24/study-shows-why-cigarette-smoke-makes-flu-other-viral-infections-worse
  4. Johns Hopkins, July 30, 2022, School Research Shows That Air Pollution Increases Cold Symptoms
    https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2002/pollution-colds
  5. American Lung Association, Facts About the Common Cold
    https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/facts-about-the-common-cold#:~:text=Complications%20of%20a%20Cold&text=If%20you%20have%20asthma%2C%20chronic,a%20person%20up%20at%20night
  6. NCBI, Dec. 11, 2023, Overview: Common colds
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279543/
  7. Cleveland Clinic, December 1, 2023, Yes, There is Such a Thing as Stress Sickness
    https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out
  8. Mayo Clinic, Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757#:~:text=Olson%2C%20M.D.,if%20you%20do%20get%20sick.
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.