The common cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract most often caused by several different viruses.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include:
- Runny or stuffed nose (including nasal discharge that might be thick, opaque, or discolored)
- Sore or scratchy throat (often occurs early on, then fades)
- Hoarseness/headaches and muscle achesHeadaches
- Blocked/popping feeling in ears
- Cough (often occurs 4-5 days into cold)
- Postnasal drip
- Watery eyesFatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue/malaiseMuscle aches
- Low grade fever
Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days, but two-thirds of people recover in a week. If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks, they may be the result of an allergy rather than a cold.
Colds occasionally can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe facial pain in the sinuses, and a cough that produces mucus, may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a medical provider's attention.
Are You Contagious?
Most people are contagious for the first 2 to 3 days of a cold, and usually not contagious at all by day 7 to 10. A cold typically lasts 3-7 days but it is not uncommon for some symptoms to persist up to 2 weeks. If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks.
A cold is different than "the flu" which is caused by influenza virus and is associated with high fever and more severe symptoms.
Treatments
Since most infections are viral (not bacterial), antibiotics won't make you better faster. Treatment is directed at the symptoms causing distress.
Take Care of Yourself
Get plenty of rest (at least 8 hours of sleep daily - "baby yourself" with extra rest if possible) and drink lots of fluids (a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily is reasonable).
Over-the-counter cold medications are not curative, but may help your symptoms. There are many combination cold medication products available. Be sure to read the medication labels carefully to avoid "double dosing". These medications won't actually shorten the length of a cold, but can help you feel better:
- Lozenges/cough drops/sore throat sprays: There are many brands, some with "pain numbing" features, but even hard candy can provide some coating, soothing action.
- Humidifying the air: Steam in the form of hot showers, a wet towel hung in the room, a pan of water on the radiator, or best yet, a vaporizer or humidifier in your room can help congestion symptoms.
- Other treatments: Zinc lozenges, Vitamin C, herbal products such as Echinacea are advertised to treat or prevent colds. While none are likely to cause harm, unless large amounts are taken over a long period, none have been consistently effective in treating or preventing colds. Chicken soup has been used for treating common colds at least since the 12th century. It may really help. The heat, fluid, and salt may help you fight the infection.
- Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, Gatorade, or hot tea with honey can help soothe your throat
- Eating soup and drinking hot liquids often eases nasal congestion by loosening secretions.
For Nasal/Sinus Congestion & Post Nasal Drip ...
Daytime
- Decongestant in tablet form such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine (i.e., Sudafed, or generic equivalent products used per package directions). These oral decongestant pills are effective in clearing nasal congestion and are usually "non-drowsy".Decongestant nasal spray (i.e., Afrin or generic equivalent used per package directions). These can be very effective for nasal and sinus congestion, but only for three days - after that some rebound congestion can occur. The pseudoephedrine must be requested at stores the pharmacy counter as it is kept "behind the counter" rather than out on the shelf. Don't take it near bedtime as some people are kept awake by it.
At Bedtime
- An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine (i.e., Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton or generic equivalent product used per package directions), which is less likely to interfere with sleep. Antihistamine products help with congestion and drying the "runny nose" but are not recommended for daytime use due to its sedating and/or drowsy effects.), can ease the congestion, especially mucus dripping down your throat and can help you sleep- it works well at night since it may cause drowsiness.
Saline Nasal Spray or Saline Irrigation
- When the normal clearance of mucus from the nasal passage toward the throat becomes obstructed, it leads to retention of mucus within the sinus cavities. . Saline nasal sprays may help liquefy these secretions and decrease the risk of crusting in the sinus cavities, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. If you try a Neti Pot or other sinus irrigation system per product instructions, to clear your sinuses and posterior throat of mucus, by rinsing them out with a saline solution. Especially for individuals prone to developing sinus infections after a cold, this may be a very helpful technique.
For Fever, Body Aches, Headache, Sore Throat
...…
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) regular strength 325 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 4-6 hours as needed for fever.**
OR - Acetaminophen (Tylenol) extra strength 500 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 6 hours as needed for fever.**
OR - Ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin) over the counter strength - 200 mg tabs - 2 tabs every 6 hours as needed with food for fever and body aches.**
OR as directed by your provider.
**Do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen daily or more than 2400 mg of ibuprofen daily.
**Some over-the-counter cold products contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen in combination with other products, so be careful to read labels to avoid excessive doses. Similarly, read labels to make sure you know whether you are taking regular or extra strength acetaminophen, as this medicine is toxic at excessive doses.
For Cough ...
Generally, a wet, productive cough that produces mucus is good as it clears secretions. Sometimes, an over-the-counter cough medicine with dextromethorphan ("DM") (i.e., Delsym or generic equivalent, per package directions) may help some people who have bothersome dry, spasmodic cough. Guaifenesin (i.e., Robitussin, Mucinex, taken per package directions), an expectorant, is available either by itself or as a common ingredient in cough/cold OTC remedies. Some people find this product helps to thin and mobilize mucus. If your cough disturbs your sleep, try a hot drink (i.e., tea with honey), elevating your head on two or three pillows, and/or humidifying your room.
If your cough is worsening, keeps you up at night without relief, or is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath, Fairfield students can "walk-in" or make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioners at the Health Center by calling (203) 254-4000, ext. 2241. Other prescription medicine may be indicated.It is advisable not to use Aspirin in young adults due to life threatening Reyes Syndrome
When to Seek Medical Attention
Most colds are self-limited and even if some symptoms last up to two (2) weeks, there is some improvement gradually over time. Sometimes, if the cold has been lingering for some time, a secondary infection with a new virus or bacteria may occur. Examples of such complications of a cold include sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infection.
The appearance of thick yellow-green nasal discharge is a normal phase of the common cold and in and of itself does not suggest that a cold has developed into a sinus infection. Also, most people will have some pain/pressure in the face in the first 4-5 days of a cold. It should resolve as the cold improves.
Regarding fevers, for adults/young adults, only a temperature over 100.0 is considered a fever, even in people whose usual temperature fall below 98.6 (a normal finding). Low-grade fevers associated with familiar symptoms of a cold are usually not concerning, and are often lower in the morning, creeping up in the afternoon.
The following symptoms suggest that you may not have a simple common cold, or that a complication of cold may be occurring. See your medical provider or Fairfield students can "walk-in" or make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioners at the Health Center by calling (203) 254-4000 ext. 2241, if you experience:
- Fever of 100.0 for over three days, especially with very sore throat
- Fever of 101.0 or more at any time
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Severe pain in chest, face, head, ears, throatHigh or persistent fever >101
- Severe or worsening headache
- Stiff neck or painful swelling of neck glands
- Chest pain
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Cold symptoms lasting more than two (2) weeks, which steadily worsen instead of improving
- Painful swelling of neck glands
- White patches on your throat or tonsils
- Exacerbation of asthma symptomsIf
- you catch a cold but also have a serious chronic illness and/or a compromised immune systemUnable to keep fluids down
Preventative Measures
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not nearby, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Clean things that are touched often
- Stay away from people who are sick
- If you get sick, limit contact with others to avoid infecting them
- Get enough rest
- Eat healthy
- Exercise frequently to keep your immune system strong
Is it a cold or the flu? Familydoctor.org will help you sort through common symptoms to know the differences between a cold and the flu and when you should see a medical provider.
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