Let's say i just caught a common cold. what can i expect, and for how long? when will i stop being contagious?

Common cold: The common cold is caused by over 200 different viruses and is the commonest infection in the world. Symptoms vary: runny nose, congestion, cough, sore throat, headache and general malaise. The infection can come on 2-3 days after exposure (incubation period) and last anywhere from 4 to 14 days. You are infectious as long as you are shedding the virus secretions.

5-7 days and 3 days: Symptoms of the common cold appear usually after 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold virus. Colds typically last 5 to 7 days, with residual coughing up to three to four weeks. A sufferer is most infectious within the first 3 days of the illness.