Catching an upper respiratory infection (URI) or common cold can make you feel miserable. Symptoms can keep you from working or doing daily tasks. To stay healthy during cold season, practice good hygiene and take precautions. Learning about different viruses that cause colds and when to see a doctor for your symptoms is also helpful.

Upper respiratory infection (common cold) symptoms in adults

Most adults are already familiar with the misery that comes from common cold symptoms. Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Fever
• Feeling tired

Colds usually don’t cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems. But they can make more mucus, leading to a runny nose (post-nasal drip). You may feel nauseous if mucus travels down your throat and into your stomach.

Cold symptoms in adults usually clear up within a week or two, and most people are well enough to return to their usual activities five to six days after their symptoms begin. Congestion may linger for another week. If your symptoms last over two weeks, seeing your health care provider is best. You may have an infection that needs antibiotics or other treatment.

Are upper respiratory infections contagious?

The common cold is very contagious. The term “common cold” refers to over 200 viruses. These viruses are around all year.

How do colds spread?

• Direct contact: This is one of the most common methods of transmission. Many people unknowingly infect themselves with a cold by touching a contaminated object and then rubbing their eyes or nose. This simple gesture can transmit viral particles into the mucus membranes. From there, the virus can enter your cells and start to reproduce.
• Shake the salt habit
• Air: Cold viruses can linger in the air. When infected people sneeze, speak, or cough, they expel viral particles. Under the right conditions, these particles can linger in the air for several hours. If a healthy person breathes in these particles, they can become infected.

The best way to stay healthy is to avoid contact with sick individuals. If someone in your house is sick, they should stay in their room. This helps stop the virus from spreading.

Sick people should also cover their sneezes and coughs. Sneezing and coughing directly into disposable tissues helps prevent the spreading of the virus through the air. After using a tissue, wash your hands thoroughly. If a sick person needs to go out in public, they may want to wear a well-fitted face mask. Wearing a mask helps keep germs contained so they don’t infect others.

Handwashing and mask-wearing can also help healthy people avoid infection. Masks help prevent viruses from entering your nose when you breathe. Handwashing remove viral particles before
touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Common cold treatment

If you catch a cold, you may not need any medical treatment. Most people recover at home by getting plenty of rest and drinking extra fluids. Natural remedies like gargling salt water or using a saline nasal rinse can help. A humidifier can also make you feel better.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help too:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief
• Expectorant cough medication to thin and loosen mucus
• Cough suppressants (antitussives) to reduce coughing

Common cold medicine for adults often includes guaifenesin, an expectorant and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant). Some medicine also have decongestants or antihistamines.

Before taking OTC medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Some OTC drugs can interact with prescription medications. They may not be safe for people with certain health conditions.

People with high blood pressure should avoid most OTC decongestants. Ask your doctor for safe treatment options.

Review the safety information that come with medication. Older adults should be careful with medicines that cause drowsiness. These drugs can lead to dizziness or falls.

If OTC doesn’t help, you might want to ask your doctor for antibiotics. But antibiotics don’t work for colds. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Never take left over antibiotics for a cold.

When to go to the doctor for a cold

Most colds go away on their own. If your symptoms don’t improve after a week, contact your doctor. Tell your doctor if your congestion lasts more than two weeks. Persistent symptoms might mean you have a bacterial infection or another health problem.

Wondering when to see a doctor for a cough? Check your mucus. Cold mucus is usually clear or white. Yellow or green mucus might mean a bacterial infection. Tell your doctor if your mucus is discolored. Seek immediate help if you see blood in your mucus.

Check your temperature. Mild colds usually cause a low fever or no fever. If you have a fever over 102 degrees or a low fever that doesn’t go away, see a doctor. You might have the flu or another serious infection.

If you’re over 65 and have cold symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19, contact your doctor. They might recommend a COVID-19 test. If you test positive, your doctor might prescribe medication to reduce severe symptoms.

Seek immediate help if you have trouble breathing. Some congestion and coughing are normal, but if you can’t catch your breath or start wheezing, get help. Seek care if you notice bluish lips or hands. These symptoms might mean you’re not getting enough oxygen.

You can use your primary care doctor as a resource for cold diagnosis and treatment. WellMed has hundreds of experienced doctors across Texas and Florida. Let us help you find health care near you.

Find a doctor near you

Frequently asked questions about colds

Ready to learn more about protecting your family from upper respiratory infections? Read these articles.

• Winter preparedness
• Get the facts on RSV and what it means for older adults
• Listen to your doctor, not old wives’ tales

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