Thank you for your enquiry. A common cold is caused by a virus and the symptoms that you've just described, "sore throat, fever, cough, runny nose and muscle ache", are very suggestive of a cold. However, in the early stages, bacterial sinusitis can also present in a similar fashion. A bacterial sinus infection (sinusitis) requires treatment with oral antibiotics while a common cold usually resolves on its on with adequate rest and hydration. As a guide, if your cold-like or flu-like symptoms are worsening after 5 days or last longer than 10 days, antibiotics will likely be prescribed.