How would you respond?

I don’t think there was anything wrong with that. What she is saying is you always have a problem and can’t fix it but her cold will go away and she doesn’t want to complain to you about it.

I'm not sure. I'd take it innocently though. She doesn't want to complain to someone who is worse off. She's trying to be nice imo.

Probably something like, "It's not as bad as it sounds" or if it really is bad, "Eh, you get used to it." Maybe that's just me being weird, though.

i think she is just trying to be nice.

She was acknowledging that your health issue is more serious than her simple cold. Cudos to her for not being the self absorbed type.

Just say you hope she feels better.

DAMN STRAIGHT

She was trying to be nice, I would be nice in return. I've said similar things to people whose problems were much worse than mine. I suppose it can be thin ice, but I'm with Ian Anderson on this one.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z2RzVhw4rE]

i guess she's trying to be considerate of your ailment but at the same time WTF?!

Hmm, change the subject and talk about weather or something.