Have you caught a cold? (Common Cold) Common symptoms and things to watch out for

You're coughing, your nose is running, and your throat is probably sore. Your body is also feeling very upset. The first question that comes to mind is, "What do I have? Is it a common cold? Or is it an allergy? Or is it the flu?" All three have similar symptoms, so it's easy to confuse them. But if we pay attention to a few small things, we can distinguish them accurately.

What are the common symptoms of a common cold?

Although we commonly refer to it as "the common cold," it is not the same illness. Simply put, the common cold is a condition caused by more than 200 types of viruses that affect the upper respiratory system, such as our throat and nose.

These viruses spread very quickly. These germs can enter the body through our mouth, nose, or eyes. Imagine, if someone with a cold coughs or sneezes near you, you can easily get infected. Or, you can even get infected if you touch a towel that they have blown their nose on. The risk of catching a cold is higher in crowded places like buses, trains, and offices. Also, if you have a chronic illness, have a weak immune system, or use tobacco, the risk is even higher.

Babies and children are more likely to catch a cold than adults.

So what are the main symptoms of a cold?

• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Loss of smell and taste
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Hoarseness of voice
• Tired even after sleeping well
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Body pain
• Feeling like your ears are blocked

During the first few days after you get sick, the mucus that comes out of your nose may become a little thicker and turn white or yellow. That's actually a good sign. It means your immune system is sending strong cells to fight off these germs.

Cold symptoms usually last about 7-10 days. By then, the worst is over. However, a stuffy nose or cough may persist for a while.

What if you have asthma and get a cold?

If you have asthma, even a simple cold can make your asthma symptoms worse. It can also take longer to get better. Colds are a major cause of asthma attacks in young children. Your usual asthma medications may not provide as much relief during this time.

So if you have asthma, be careful about these things:

• Wash your hands often and stay away from people who are sick.
• If you get a cold, talk to your doctor right away. He or she will prescribe the right medication to help control your symptoms.
• Get as much rest as possible. Staying home also prevents you from spreading the disease to others.
• Keep a written asthma action plan with you. It should clearly state what medications to take when your asthma flares up, when to take them, and what symptoms require you to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) .

Let's learn exactly the difference between a cold, an allergy, and the flu!

Although these three conditions may seem similar, there are clear differences between them. You can easily understand this from the table below.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

Most of the time, a cold is nothing to worry about. But sometimes it can develop into a bacterial infection. And we need to be especially careful when young children and babies get a cold.

For adults

If you have severe symptoms like these, or if the illness seems to be getting worse day by day instead of getting better, definitely see a doctor.

• If there is pain in the ear.
• If you have pain around your nose and eyes (sinus area) for more than a week.
• If you have had a cough with thick mucus for more than a week.
• If you have difficulty breathing.
• If you have a fever with a severe sore throat (this could be a strep infection).
• If you feel pain or tightness in your chest or stomach.
• If you have a stiff neck and sensitivity to bright light.
• If symptoms last more than two weeks.

For young children and babies

When your child has a cold, they may experience the following:

• Constant crying and whining.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Refusal to eat.
• Vomiting while coughing.

If your child is sick, and you have even the slightest fear or doubt, never delay and call a doctor.

Be especially careful with infants!

If your baby is younger than 2-3 months and has a cold, call your doctor right away. Also, if a baby of any age has any of the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a serious condition.

• Difficulty breathing or breathing faster than usual.
• A 'whooshing' sound when breathing.
• Lips turning blue.
• Complete refusal to drink or eat breast milk.
• Ear pain (if the baby is constantly touching his ear).
• Crying more than usual.
• Sleeping more than usual or being difficult to wake up.
• If the fever is over 102°F (38.9°C) (or over 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months of age), call your doctor immediately.

These symptoms may indicate that a simple cold has developed into another serious infection.