Cold symptoms can last up to two weeks, but most people recover after a week to 10 days. If your symptoms persist, call your doctor. You may be suffering from allergies, not a cold.If you have a high fever, severe sinus pain or a cough that produces mucus, you may have a more serious illness. Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered. Symptoms usually start two to three days after you've been infected, and colds can last for up to two weeks. The first symptoms of influenza, including fever, chills, headache, and body aches, often begin to go away after about 2 or 4 days.