| Living with a common cold
Cold symptoms can take up to several days to appear after exposure to one of the many viruses that cause common cold. Appearance of Symptoms Cold symptoms usually appear one at a time (first sneezing, then a runny nose, etc.). Also, colds occur more often during the winter months. If your symptoms last for more than 7 to 10 days, you probably don't have a cold. More likely, you may be suffering from nasal allergy symptoms. |
If you think you may have symptoms, but you're still not sure whether they're from a cold or nasal allergies, your pharmacist may be your first stop.
Treat the Symptoms
Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose – everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
While colds are most common in the U.S. during the autumn and winter months, there’s no evidence that a cold is caused by exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated. The common cold is the result of a virus, which will spread from one person to another through close contact.
Frequent hand cleaning, a strengthened immune system through a healthy diet and daily activity, drinking plenty of water and avoiding contact with someone with a cold goes a long way toward preventing infection.
Consider keeping an instant hand sanitizer with you, especially during "cold season." These products kill germs on contact without soap and water.
How To Treat the Symptoms
Whether it’s allergy or a cold, the symptoms, and basic treatment, are similar.
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. We know that maintaining with fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamin C, is part of a healthy lifestyle.
• Get plenty of rest. Both colds and allergies tend to make you feel "run down."
• If you have symptoms, but you're still not sure whether they're from a cold or nasal allergies, talk to your pharmacist. He or she may be able to recommend which over-the-counter medicines may treat your symptoms. These include:
• Non-prescription cold remedies, including decongestants and cough suppressants, may relieve some of your symptoms of stuffy nose, congestion and coughing. Rinsing the throat with an antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water may help relieve scratchy throat.
• Non-prescription antihistamines may give you some relief from symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes that are commonly associated with colds and allergies. Many chronic allergy sufferers take daily antihistamines to relieve their symptoms. Chronic allergies can weaken your immune system and need to be treated differently than cold symptoms.
If you take prescription medications, be sure to talk to your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter drugs or vitamins to prevent potentially dangerous drug interactions.
