|
Common Colds
Overview
Colds are caused
by any of over 200 respiratory viruses that can cause symptoms
in your throat, ears, sinuses, nose, and other airways. Colds
are transmitted when you inhale droplets containing virus
particles that have been coughed or sneezed into the air by an
infected person. You can also catch a cold by touching your
mouth, nose, or eyes after you’ve touched a virus-contaminated
surface like door handles, computer keyboards, or money.
Antibiotics aren’t effective to treat cold viruses and should be
prescribed only if a healthcare provider has diagnosed a
“secondary” bacterial infection. A cold generally lasts 7 to 21
days.
Signs and Symptoms
-
Stuffy or runny nose
-
Watery eyes
-
Post-nasal drip
-
Cough
-
Ear congestion
-
Hoarseness
-
Sore throat
-
Mild headache/sinus pressure
-
Swollen and/or sore neck glands
-
Fever
-
Chills
-
Body aches
-
Fatigue
-
Loss of appetite
Self-Care Measures
-
Rest as much as possible.
-
Drink 8 ounces of water or juice each waking hour.
-
Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home (especially
your bedroom) moist. Clean it frequently as instructed by
the manufacturer.
-
Take an OTC analgesic for aches and fever.
-
For a stuffy nose, take an OTC oral decongestant, use an OTC
decongestant nasal spray or OTC saline nasal spray/drops, or
make saline nasal drops at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon
of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Sniff a couple of
drops into each nostril.
-
A
cough is not bad in and of itself, but if it’s keeping you
from sleeping or resting, take an OTC cough medicine.
-
Take an OTC antihistamine for nasal drainage, watery eyes,
and/or sneezing.
Red Flags
Check in with the nurse if there is..
-
Severe worsening of your cough with shaking chills and/or
chest pain.
-
Significant worsening of your symptoms over the course of
one week.
-
Fever of 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher that
doesn’t come down after taking OTC analgesics or that lasts
for more than 72 hours.
-
Pain or tenderness in your face (over your sinuses) plus a
thick nasal discharge that lasts more than one week or
severe sinus pain or tenderness.
-
Ear pain.
-
The “worst headache of your life.”
-
Breathing difficulty with minimal exertion, at rest, or that
interferes with talking that is not caused by nasal
congestion.
CALL 911 OR GO DIRECTLY TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM IF EITHER OF THE
FOLLOWING OCCURS:
-
Unusual dark spots (much like bruises) of any size on your
skin. This can be a sign of meningococcal disease which
progresses rapidly, can be fatal, and requires immediate
medical care.
-
Severe breathing problems.
Cold and Flu Prevention
The following
consistently-practiced behaviors can help keep you from getting
a cold or the flu or keep you from spreading these illnesses to
others if you’re sick.
First, wash your
hands frequently with soap and water or clean
them often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This will get
rid of viruses you may have picked up from contaminated
surfaces. Second, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and
mouth.
If you already
have a cold or the flu, cover your mouth when you cough or
sneeze, and wash your hands frequently to keep from transmitting
viruses to others. Use disposable tissues instead of
handkerchiefs, and toss your tissues directly into a wastebasket
after you’ve used them. Don’t put them on a desktop, mouse pad,
dashboard, or other surface that others may touch.
Go to Health Center Information
|
