Common Cold
Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose are the first signs of the common cold. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
SYMPTOMS
The common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include:
The common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include:
- Mucus buildup in your nose
- Difficulty breathing through your nose
- Swelling of your sinuses
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever is usually slight but can climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit
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Symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days
If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy rather than a cold.
If symptoms occur often or last much longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy rather than a cold.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms:
There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms:
- Resting in bed
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat
- Using petroleum jelly for a raw nose
- Taking an ibuprofen such as Motrin or Advil, or an acetaminophen such as Tylenol for headache and/or fever
PREVENTION
There are several ways you can keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others.
There are several ways you can keep yourself from getting a cold or passing one on to others.
- Cold germs can easily enter through your eyes and nose, so keep your hands away from those areas
- If possible, avoid being close to people who have colds
- If you have a cold, avoid being close to people
- If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose or mouth.
- Hand washing with soap and water is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to keep from getting colds or giving them to others. During cold season, you should wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same. When water isn't available, CDC recommends using alcohol-based products made for washing hands.
- Rhinoviruses can live up to 3 hours on your skin. They also can survive up to 3 hours on objects such as telephones and stair railings. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant might help prevent spread of infection.
