How is common cold treated

This is the best way to stop the spread of germs. To wash your hands correctly: Rub soap onto wet hands for 20 seconds. Make sure to get under your fingernails. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and turn faucet off with paper towel. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Use a dime size amount and rub all over your hands until they are dry. To further prevent colds: Stay home when you are sick. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow and not into the air.

When to Call the Doctor. Call your provider right away, or go to the emergency room, if you have: Difficulty breathing Sudden chest pain or abdominal pain Sudden dizziness Acting strangely Severe vomiting that does not go away Also call your provider if: You start acting strangely Your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 7 to 10 days.

Alternative Names. Upper respiratory infection - home care; URI - home care. Cold remedies. Related MedlinePlus Health Topics. Nasal decongestants should not be used by patients on MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants. Over-the-counter cough medicines may be hazardous for children.

The FDA says they should not be given to children younger than 2. Painkillers and antipyretics drugs to reduce fever may be helpful. Although a high fever might not be desirable, a slight fever is not such a bad thing — it helps the body fight off infections more rapidly. When body temperature rises, viruses and bacteria find it harder to reproduce.

With the exception of very young patients, doctors no longer recommend trying to bring a slight fever down. However, if patients feel bothered and uncomfortable, an antipyretic is usually fine. Aspirin should only be taken by older adults, not children or young adults. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are effective for the treatment of both fever and pain.

Check with a doctor or a qualified pharmacist for the correct dosage and schedule for these medications. Overmedication may cause liver injury or failure or kidney injury or failure. During the cold months, when the central heating dries the air out, an air humidifier will help keep the throat and nasal passages moist. Nasopharyngitis, which is another name for the common cold, is the inflammation of the nasal passages and the throat. Learn more. This article discusses whether NyQuil contains alcohol and what conditions it treats.

The incubation period for a cold is 24—72 hours. Learn the early signs of a cold, how long they last, and how to cope with symptoms here. The common cold is the most common infection that occurs in humans. It is not usually a serious illness, but complications can sometimes arise. Mucus is crucial to the functioning of several organs and the immune system, so the body is continually producing it.

Here, learn how it is made and…. How do I treat a cold? See more conditions. Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt. Products and services.

Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt There's no cure for the common cold. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Common cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Feb. Sexton DJ, et al. The common cold in adults: Treatment and prevention.

Saper RJ. Clinical use of echinacea. Pappas DE. The common cold in children: Management and prevention. Upper respiratory tract infection. Mayo Clinic; Natural Medicines. Drutz JE. Acute pharyngitis in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, Sullivan JE, et al.

Clinical report — Fever and antipyretic use in children. Reaffirmed July Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Renaud DL expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. See also Avoid rebound nasal congestion Breast-feeding and medications Can chicken soup cure a cold? Chicken soup: Can it treat a cold? Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? Having a healthy microbiome in your gut can help your body fight any number of illnesses and conditions, including a cold.

Like hot tea, popsicles may help numb and ease the pain of a sore throat. The most important thing to remember when you have a cold is to stay hydrated. Drink water or warm tea regularly. Both can make symptoms of a cold worse.

Learn more about what you should eat and drink to soothe a sore throat ». Colds are very minor, but they are inconvenient and can certainly be miserable. But you can do a few key things during cold season to help you avoid picking up one of the viruses. Wash your hands. Old-fashioned soap and water is the best way to stop the spread of germs.

Take care of your gut. Eat plenty of bacteria-rich foods like yogurt, or take a daily probiotic supplement. Keeping your gut bacteria community healthy can help your overall health.

Avoid sick people. Be sure to wash your hands after coming into contact them. Cover your cough. Check out more tips for cold prevention ». Viruses, often cold rhinoviruses, can be spread person to person or surface to person.

A virus can live on a surface for several days. If someone with a virus touches a door handle, people who touch that same handle for several days afterward may pick up the virus. You must spread the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth in order to get sick. Learn more about what can cause a cold ». Age: Children under age 6 are more likely to develop colds. Their risk is even higher if they are in day care or a child care setting with other kids. Compromised immune system: If you have a chronic illness or have been sick recently, you may be more likely to pick up a cold virus.

Smoking: People who smoke have an increased risk for catching a cold. Their colds also tend to be more severe when they have them. Learn more about the risk factors for a cold ». The incubation period for a cold can last for several days. We'll go over the specific timeline as well as early symptoms to watch for. You'll also…. Do you have a head cold? Learn more about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention. A typical cold will last only about 10 days. How do you know when to wait it out, and when to seek medical care, or try other treatments?