Health Matters

Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days. Those symptoms should improve over time.

Colds can have similar symptoms to flu. It can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

Causes
More than 200 viruses can cause a cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common type. Viruses that cause colds can spread from person to person through the air and close personal contact.

When to Seek Medical Care
See a healthcare professional if you have:

• Trouble breathing or fast breathing
• Dehydration
• Fever that lasts longer than 4 days
• Symptoms that last more than 10 days without improvement
• Symptoms, such as fever or cough, that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a healthcare professional for any symptom that is severe or concerning

Talk to a healthcare professional right away if your child is under 3 months old with a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher.

Treatment
There is no cure for a cold. It will get better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won’t help you get better if you have a cold.

When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems. These problems can include severe allergic reactions, antimicrobial-resistant infections and C. diff infection. C. diff causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death.

How to Feel Better

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
• Use saline nasal spray or drops.
• For young children, use a rubber suction bulb to clear mucus.
• Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower.
• Use throat lozenges or cough drops. Do not give lozenges to children younger than 4 years of age.
• Use honey to relieve cough for adults and children at least 1 year of age or older.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines that can help you feel better. Always use over-the-counter medicines as directed. Remember, over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but they will not cure your illness.

Remember, always read over-the-counter medicine product labels before giving medicines to children. Some over-the-counter medicines are not recommended for children of certain ages.

Pain relievers:

• Children younger than 6 months: only give acetaminophen.
• Children 6 months or older: it is OK to give acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Never give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a very serious, but rare illness that can harm the liver and brain.

Cough and cold medicines:

• Children younger than 4 years old: do not use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in young children unless a doctor specifically tells you to. Cough and cold medicines can result in serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects in young children.
• Children 4 years or older: discuss with your child’s doctor if over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are safe to give to your child.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dosage of over-the-counter medicines for your child’s age and size. Also, tell your child’s doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines they are taking.

Prevention
You can help prevent colds by doing your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy:

• Clean your hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Stay at home while you are sick and keep children out of school or daycare while they are sick.