Word story Expand. Hypochondriac comes ultimately from the Greek word hypokhondria, which literally means âunder the cartilage (of the breastbone).â In the late 16th century, when hypochondriac first entered the English language, it referred to the upper abdomen.
Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Nasal symptoms, runny nose, and congestion follow, along with a cough by the fourth and fifth days. Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight fever is possible.
A cold begins when a virus attaches to the lining of your nose or throat. Your immune system -- the body's defense against germs -- sends out white blood cells to attack this invader. Unless you've had a run-in with that exact strain of the virus before, the initial attack fails and your body sends in reinforcements.