According to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. But symptoms of a common cold usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus.
"Unlike COVID-19, a cold is usually harmless. Most people recover from a common cold in 3 to 10 days. But some colds may last as long as two or three weeks," the health body adds.
Also read: Coronavirus: COVID XBB.1.5 more 'cold-like'; how to know if you have COVID or common cold