Common Cold Symptoms and Treatment
It usually starts with a runny nose and a sore throat, and before you know it, you have a full-blown cold. You feel so sick that you can’t help but wonder if you should head to the emergency room for some relief. Fortunately, colds usually run their course without medical intervention. However, the virus shares symptoms with some other conditions, making it easy to misdiagnose yourself. Go over your symptoms to see if you just have a case of sniffles or something more serious. If it is serious, visit one of the five Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care locations. We will evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and begin treatment.
Common Cold Symptoms
You will experience a wide range of symptoms when nursing a cold. These symptoms might include:
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Cough and congestion
- Mild headache
- Minor body aches
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
You can treat your symptoms at home. However, you need to monitor your symptoms in case your condition worsens.
Go to the ER When With These Symptoms
Colds rarely create emergency situations. However, the symptoms could mask a serious medical condition. Thus, go to the emergency room if:
- You have an earache.
- You experience chest pain.
- You have a high fever.
- Your symptoms worsen or don’t improve within 10 days.
- You have an asthma attack.
- You have a weakened immune system.
How Long Does the Common Cold Last?
While the symptoms can make you feel miserable, this virus runs its course relatively quickly. It takes approximately 7-10 days to recover. At this point, you shouldn’t have any more common cold symptoms.
At-Home Common Cold Treatment
The virus might not have a cure, but you can make yourself more comfortable by managing your symptoms at home. Hydration is the key to alleviating your symptoms. Make sure you take in ample fluids, including warm water mixed with lemon or honey, to soothe your throat and break up mucus. You can also reduce pain and inflammation by gargling with salt water several times a day.
Over-the-counter medications can also help you manage your symptoms. From cold capsules to nose sprays, there are numerous options available.
If you have a cold, you should feel much better with at-home treatment. However, if it doesn’t go away or you have symptoms that indicate another condition, visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care immediately. Our adult and pediatric emergency room and urgent care facility are equipped to diagnose your condition. Then, we can formulate a treatment plan based on the diagnosis.
