Symptoms, causes, and treatments for
Cold
Everyone’s seasonal enemy, the cold, is caused by several types of viruses. Symptoms appear within three days after exposure. Generally your symptoms will start slow and increase in severity over a few days.
Symptoms associated with a cold include:
Colds and the flu are distinctly different illnesses. While a cold may increase in its severity over a couple days, the flu presents its severe symptoms—including fever, body aches, and cough—in just a few hours.
Until the day science creates a cold vaccine (here’s hoping), the best thing you can do is reduce your chance of infection.
Cold viruses like the rhinovirus can live on everyday items like doorknobs, phones, staplers, and kids’ toys for hours. It’s one of the reasons colds are so widespread: the virus is everywhere.
A virus finds its way into your mouth, nose, or eyes from either airborne body fluid droplets or touching a contaminated object. Once inside, it’ll begin to multiply. Your body will try, and fight the illness off, resulting in the previously mentioned symptoms.
Some people are at higher risk for an infection, like children under the age of six, those with weakened immune systems, or people who smoke.
Most adults can power through a cold with rest, hydration, and non-prescription meds. But you should see a doctor if you have one or more of these symptoms:
Kids experience similar cold symptoms as adults do, but there are additional warning signs that your child should see a doctor immediately:
While many colds pass within a week, persistent symptoms for over 10 days could suggest another infection.
If you’re still suffering after 10 days, schedule a visit with a ZOOM+Care provider. They’ll run tests and find the underlying cause of your illness.
Cold
Prevention Tips:
Consider these tips to help prevent the common cold:
