How to Care for The Common Cold

Colds are caused by viruses. They are self-limited conditions lasting 7-10 days. There are no medical cures or antibiotics to speed up the healing process. The fact to remember is viral infections do not improve with treatment by penicillin or other antibiotics. "Penicillin shots" or prescription antibiotics are not appropriate treatments for viral infections like the common cold. Use of these antibiotics may cause unnecessary drug reactions, higher treatment cost, and side effects (for e.g., yeast infections in young women).

Here are some suggestions to make you more comfortable:

• Rest - Allows your body to fight the virus.
   
• Fluids - 8 glasses/day to loosen congestion and reduce fever.
   
• Gargles - One teaspoon of salt in a glass (8oz.) of warm water helps reduce swelling and cleanses the throat.
   
• Stop Smoking - Smoking paralyzes the tiny hairs that work to clear mucous from airways.
   
• Medications - READ LABELS CAREFULLY!
   
  • Analgesics- (acetaminophen, and ibuprofen) will provide pain relief and reduce fever.
     
  • Decongestants- will relieve nasal congestion. A combination pain reliever/decongestant is included in the cold care packet available at the Student Health Center.
     
  • Lozenges- will help soothe a dry, scratchy throat. Hard candy will also help. Cough syrups are not usually necessary for common cold symptoms. A cough is nature's way of ridding your airways of excess mucous. Water is the best expectorant. If the cough is bothersome, an over-the-counter syrup such as Robitussin or Benylin may help.
     
  • Antibiotics- are very effective in fighting bacterial infections. However, colds are caused by a virus and would be unaffected by antibiotics. Antibiotics would be used only if your cold advanced to a more complicated bacterial infection.
     

  When should I make an appointment to see a healthcare provider?

  Professional care should be sought when cold symptoms last more than 10 days or if you have earache, painful swelling in the neck, fever greater than 101˚F, cough with green or red mucous, shortness of breath or wheezing, or history of asthma.

  General well being is important to help ward off diseases. Adequate rest, regular daily exercise, good diet, avoidance of smoking and ability to deal with stress are important habits to develop. One of the best preventive measures (to avoid colds) is frequent hand washing. Don't wait until you are ill to take care of yourself. If you need more information or are unsure about the severity of your symptoms or how to treat them, feel free to call the Student Health Center at 831-5111 or call the 24-hour Nurse advise service at 1-866-205-2164. A nurse is available to discuss your symptoms with you and to help you decide the appropriate care.

  To request a program on prevention of Colds and Flu, click here.