An upper respiratory infection frequently called the common cold usually begins with:

• sneezing
• a clear-mucous runny nose
• a sore throat
• a slight fever (rarely above 101-F)
• a dry cough

These symptoms usually last from 3-7 days.Colds are passed from person to person via coughs and sneezes (droplet infection) but also by the mucous on the hands of the infected person(s)- towels, money, doorknobs and books may assist in the spread.

Prevention

• Frequent hand washing.
• Avoid sharing eating and drinking items with others.
• Keep your immune system in tip top shape:
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Eat a well balanced diet.
  • Get plenty of exercise.
  • Vitamin C supplements may increase resistance or decrease severity of cold symptoms.

SELF CARE FOR COLDS:

• Get plenty of rest, especally if running a fever.
• Drink lots of fluids, hot or cold. This helps break up accumulated secretions and may also discourage complications like bronchitis and fever.
• Take Tylenol or Ibuproben to relieve aches, pains and fever.
• Soothe sore throat with frequent salt water gargles or OTC throatlozenges.
• Breathe air from cool mist vaporizer to keep mucous membranes moist and help quiet cough.
• Chicken soup really can help. It helps clear mucus from the throat and esophagus and the broth is thought to contain a substance that may inhibit the common cold virus.
• Hot steamy showers keep mucous membranes moist and open up a congested head.
• Antihistamine/Decongestants may help to provide symptomatic relief. Read the label, do not mix cold medicines until you check with a medical professional.
• The common cold is caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not provide a cure.

REASONS TO SEE THE DOCTOR:

• Cold symptoms accompanied by rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, extreme fatigue, unusual irritability or delirium.
• Pain, tenderness and/or swelling over facial sinuses that worsens when bending over or changing head position.
• More than a mild earache.
• Very enlarged tender glands of the neck.
• Cough that is...
  • productive of yellow/green or gray sputum
  • lasting longer than 10 days.
• Fever of over 102 degrees, especially with any of the above.
• Foul odor from throat, nose or ears.