While seasonal colds peak in the winter and spring, it can strike any time of the year. Runny nose and scratchy throat are telltale first signs of a common cold, but symptoms can vary from person to person and can include headache, fatigue and achy joints. The average duration of a cold is 7 to 10 days. But, what are the stages of a cold, and when might you suspect it’s something else like allergies or sinus infection? Summit Health Internal Medicine physician Dr. Soma Mandal and other medical experts shared their knowledge about the common cold in an article by Everyday Health.