I'm doing an essay on common colds and i was wondering what are the stages a person goes through with having a common cold?

Fun, then more fun: Most viral illnesses start with a brief prodrome, where nothing happens, then some mild fatigue, runny nose, mild abdominal pain, etc. A little post nasal drip, slight cough. As the virus causes destruction of the mucous membrane, cough worsens, mucous worsens and thickens, and fever may begin. As the immune system gets on top of the virus, symptoms resolve over a period of time.