Discover how long it takes to develop cold symptoms after exposure (typically 1-3 days), why timelines vary, when you're contagious, and science-backed prevention strategies. Learn to stop colds before symptoms start.

Discover exactly how long a cold remains contagious in adults, including peak transmission periods and timeline. Learn actionable prevention strategies, when to return to work, and how comorbidities affect contagiousness. Essential guide for containing virus spread.