Common cold
What is the common cold?
The common cold is an infection, mainly of the nose and throat, which is caused by a virus. It usually lasts 2 to 5 days and should not cause serious illness in healthy people.
How is it contracted?
The virus, which is very infectious, is spread from person to person by the fine spray shot from the nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. It can also be transmitted by close contact, e.g. shaking hands with someone who has a cold.
What are the symptoms?
You will usually have a runny nose and weepy eyes. You may cough, sneeze, have a sore throat and feel generally off-colour. Some people also have headaches, fever or lose their voice.
Treating the common cold
- Resting helps your body fight off the cold.
- Drinking at least 8 glasses of fluid (water, diluted juice or cordial, lemonade, ice-blocks) a day stops you getting dehydrated, so your mucus is loose and easier to cough or blow out. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol, which may dry you out even more.
- Taking medication may help to take down fever and relieve headaches. However, you should always check with your pharmacist before taking these medications if you are diabetic or have high blood pressure. (N.B. Do not give aspirin to children.)
- Inhaling: put a few menthol crystals, drops of eucalyptus oil or friar's balsam into a bowl of steaming water. Put a towel over your head, close your eyes and breathe in the vapour. Or stand a paper bag over the bowl, tear off a corner and breathe through the hole.
- Putting a decongestant rub such as Vicks on the throat, chest or on a hankie or pillow will also help clear the nose.
- Nose drops may be needed if a baby has a blocked nose and can't suck. Your chemist will tell you what's best and how to use it.
- Cough medicines may help, but coughing is the body's way of getting rid of mucus. If your cough is dry and annoying, ask your doctor or chemist what to take. Follow directions carefully.
When to see a doctor
Go to your doctor if you (or your child) don't get better in 4 days; have sore ears; cough green or thick yellow mucus; have pain in the chest, trouble breathing or have chronic health problems. A child with a very sore throat, high fever or a strange, high-pitched cry must be taken to the doctor. Antibiotics are not given for colds because colds are caused by a virus, but they may be used to treat some bacterial infections following a cold.
Last Reviewed: 13 October 2004
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