What are colds?
Colds are the most common infection of the nose, sinuses, or throat (upper respiratory infection). Colds are caused by viruses. They're spread by coughs, sneezes, and close contact. You can catch a cold at any time of year. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to feel better.
What are the symptoms?
Lots of different viruses cause colds, but the symptoms are usually the same. They include:
- Runny nose and sneezing.
- Red eyes.
- Sore throat and cough.
- Headaches and body aches.
You will probably feel a cold come on over the course of a couple of days. As the cold gets worse, your nose may get stuffy with thicker mucus.
A cold isn't the same as the flu (influenza). Flu symptoms are worse and come on faster. If you have the flu, you may feel very tired. You may also have a fever and shaking chills, muscle aches, a headache, and a cough.
If you feel like you have a cold all the time, or if cold symptoms last more than 2 weeks, you may have allergies or sinusitis.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. Choose water and other clear liquids until you feel better. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
- Try an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not give aspirin to teens. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
- Be careful when taking over-the-counter cold or flu medicines and Tylenol at the same time. Many of these medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Read the labels to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Use saline (saltwater) nasal washes to help keep your nasal passages open and wash out mucus and allergens. You can buy saline nose sprays at a grocery store or drugstore. Follow the instructions on the package. Or you can make your own nasal wash at home. Add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups of distilled or boiled and cooled water. Fill a squeeze bottle or neti pot with the homemade nasal wash. Then put the tip into your nostril, and lean over the sink. With your mouth open, gently squirt the liquid. Repeat on the other side.
- Use a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to your bedroom. Follow the instructions for cleaning the machine.
- Do not smoke or vape, and avoid being around others who are smoking or vaping. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
How can you prevent colds?
There are several things you can do to help prevent colds and other upper respiratory infections, or URIs:
- Wash your hands often.
- Be extra careful when you're around people with colds.
- Keep your hands away from your face. Your nose, eyes, and mouth are the most likely places for germs to enter your body.
- Eat healthy foods, get plenty of sleep, and exercise. This keeps your body and immune system strong so it can fight URIs.
- Do not smoke or vape, and avoid being around others who are smoking or vaping. Smoking or vaping makes it easier to get a URI and harder to get rid of one. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- Stay up to date on your vaccines. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you. Vaccines may protect you from serious problems from a respiratory infection.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have severe trouble breathing.
Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You seem to be getting much sicker.
- You have new or worse trouble breathing.
- You have a new or higher fever.
- You cannot keep down fluids or medicine.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have a new symptom, such as a sore throat, an earache, rash, or sinus pain.
- You have a deep cough and a lot of mucus.
- You do not get better as expected.
