Cold and Flu. Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Symptoms of a common cold usually appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold virus. Signs and symptoms of a common cold may include:

• Itchy or sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Slight body aches or a mild headache
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Low-grade fever (up to 102 F, or 39 C)
• Watery eyes
• Mild fatigue

The discharge from your nose may become thicker and yellow or green in color as a common cold runs its course. What makes a cold different from other viral infections is that you generally won’t have a high fever. You’re also unlikely to experience significant fatigue from a common cold.

When to see a doctor
For adults — Seek medical attention if you have:

• Fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher
• Fever accompanied by sweating, chills and a cough with colored phlegm
• High fever accompanied by achiness and fatigue
• Significantly swollen glands
• Severe sinus pain

For children — In general, children are sicker with a common cold than adults are and often develop complications, such as ear infections. Your child doesn’t need to see the doctor for a routine common cold. But seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Fever of 103 F (39.5 C) or higher, chills or sweating
• Vomiting or abdominal pain
• Fever that lasts more than three days
• Unusual sleepiness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe headache
• Persistent crying
• Persistent cough
• Ear pain

Definition

The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way. If it’s not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it’s the watery eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the above. In fact, because any one of more than 200 viruses can cause a common cold, symptoms tend to vary greatly. more…

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