The Common Cold
The common cold is caused by viruses and could last 2 - 14 days. It usually starts with a sore throat, sneezing and a runny nose and may include a mild fever or headache.
You can get infected by cold viruses by either of these methods:
- Touching your skin or environmental surfaces, such as telephones and stair rails, that have cold germs on them and then touching your eyes or nose
- Inhaling drops of mucus full of cold germs from the air
Symptoms of 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 low but can climb to 102 degrees. Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days, but like most people, you’ll probably recover in a week.
Colds occasionally can lead to bacterial infections of your middle ear or sinuses, requiring treatment with antibiotics. High fever, significantly swollen glands, severe sinus pain, and a cough that produces mucus may indicate a complication or more serious illness requiring a visit to your healthcare provider.
There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by
- 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 aspirin or acetaminophen—Tylenol, for example—for headache or fever
 Many over the counter medicines can help relieve cold symptoms but they will not help you recover any faster. You can't completely avoid catching colds, but you can reduce the chances. Wash your hands often and keep hands away from your face.
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Seasonal Flu Precautions
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Don't touch your nose, eyes or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, use the outside of your elbow.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Live healthy - drink lots of water, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and get plenty of sleep and exercise to keep your body and immune system strong throughout the entire flue season.
Symptoms of the Seasonal Flu
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you many want to contact your health care provider who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you sh ould stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In Children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
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