Tag: Common Cold

My Common Cold Won’t Go Away!

To review the symptoms of the common cold they are a runny nose, scratchy/sore throat, cough, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, low grade fever, body aches and mild fatigue.

Last week we listed the things you can do to help you get through the 7-10 days a typical viral cold will last for.

When do you need to seek help from your Doctor?

In general adults should see your Doctor if:

  • Your fever is greater than or equal to 103 degrees F.
  • Your fever is accompanied by sweating, chills and colored secretions lasting more than 3-4 days.
  • You have significantly swollen glands in the neck.
  • You have severe face or sinus pain.
  • Your symptoms have lasted more than 10 days.

For your children you have them see their Doctor if:

  • They are 2 years or older and have fever greater than or equal to 103 degrees F.
  • They are 6 weeks to two years of age and have fever greater than or equal to 102 degrees F.
  • They are a newborn to 6 weeks of age and have a fever greater than 100 degrees F.
  • Your child has signs of dehydration, not drinking enough fluids or is not urinating.
  • Your child has a fever lasting more than 3 days.
  • Your child has vomiting or abdominal pain.
  • Your child has unusual sleepiness.
  • Your child has a headache, stiff neck, or ear pain.
  • Your child has persistent crying, a persistent cough, or difficulty breathing.

These are the complications that can occur from a common cold and likely do require antibiotics: (remember this started as a viral illness)

  • Acute ear infections.
  • Sinusitis.
  • Wheezing.
  • A secondary infection occurs such as strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis in adults and croup in children.

It’s Common Cold Season! (Part One)

The common cold is an upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) infection caused by a virus.

The symptoms can be a runny nose, scratchy/sore throat, cough, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, low grade fever, body aches and mild fatigue.

There are over 100 viruses that can cause a cold and preschoolers are at greatest risk to get frequent colds but anyone can be at risk during the most common seasons, fall and winter.

Colds can last seven to ten days and your secretions can thicken and turn yellow or green as it runs its course.

Treatment:

  • There is no cure for the common cold.
  • Antibiotics are of no use and do not hasten the recovery.
  • Over the counter (OTC) medications won’t cure or make the cold go away sooner and merely treat some of the symptoms and can often have significant undesirable side effects.
  • Pain relievers, decongestant nasal sprays and cough syrups all have significant complications associated with them and are not recommended in children under four years of age without consulting your Pediatrician first.
  • Lifestyle and home remedies are the best way to get through a cold.

Lifestyle and home remedies:

  • Drink lots of fluids.
  • Yes, chicken soup does help!
  • Rest.
  • Stay in a warm room with some humidity.
  • Salt water gargles and saline nasal spray/drops.
  • Zinc, vitamin C and echinacea.

Prevention:

  • Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face.
  • Scrub your stuff.
  • Use tissues.
  • Don’t share your stuff.
  • Steer clear of colds.
  • Choose your child care wisely.

Next week we will go over how to know when your cold has gotten the best of you and when you need to see a Doctor.