Understanding Cold Symptoms: A Complete Guide to Treatment

It can strike when the weather gets cold or you may be in the presence of someone who happens to have a virus. Whether it is a sore throat, stuffy nose or even a day of unrelenting sneezes, it is one of the most common illnesses people get. But what are the symptoms of a cold? How does it compare with other conditions like sinus problems and even the flu? Let's dive into this symptom guide for colds and sweet potato that will help in identifying those signs and differences and where MyHomeDoc Telehealth can give much needed assistance when needed.

What symptoms are associated with the common cold?

Cold symptoms tend to develop over time and they can all be different for everyone. The most common include:

• Stuffy/runny nose: The first and foremost symptom of a cold is nasal congestion or a stuffy nose. The nasal discharge may be clear, yellow or green.
• Sneezing: Often accompanied by a runny nose since the body tries to clear its nasal passages.
• Sore throat: An itch or scratchiness of the throat may be an early warning that a cold is coming.
• Cough: This is a common symptom because the body tries to clear airways.
• Mild fatigue: Although these are usually not serious a cold has the capacity to make individuals feel rundown or fatigued.
• Mild headache: A cold is normally accompanied by a dull headache.
• Body aches: While some have mild muscular aching it is usually milder than in influenza.

Most of these symptoms are treatable with home remedies and tend to go away within 7 to 10 days.

Cold symptoms vs sinus problems

Due to the fact that so many symptoms are similar, such as congestion, headache and runny nose it is very easy to mistake one for the other. Yet, there are some important differences between them.

The onset of symptoms of the common cold is gradual, involving the whole body, with fatigue, body aches and mild fever.

On the other hand, the symptoms attributed to a sinus cold include more severe pressure across the sinuses, pain around the eyes or the forehead and thick mucus from the nose.

Possible symptoms of a sinus cold may include

When your sinuses become inflamed or infected this is what is considered sinusitis. Often in the form of a cold sinus colds usually include symptoms such as:

• Severe pressure or pain in the cheek, eye or forehead region of the sinuses
• Thick greenish yellow mucus
• Loss of smell or taste.
• Coughing can be brought about by postnasal drip.
• A headache which is persistent, yet more of a pressure sensation over the forehead.

The cold symptoms usually resolve on their own. However, consultation with the general practitioner may be required to alleviate the symptoms of sinus cold and also to prevent complications such as chronic sinusitis.

The Common Cold: What You Need to Know

The cold is a viral infection. It is also highly contagious. Generally, the upper respiratory tract is affected by it and it mostly covers the nose, throat and sinuses. The symptoms of cold are mild and usually get better in one or two weeks.

Unlike the flu, symptoms of a flu or cold are milder and less serious, such as a high fever or extreme fatigue. Generally speaking, you can make out a difference between these two by the gravity of the symptoms as cold symptoms are essentially manageable whereas flu symptoms come out suddenly and are severe enough to debilitate.

Cold versus Flu: How to Tell the Difference

Knowing the difference between symptoms of the common cold and flu makes quite a difference. Even though they share many symptoms both can give you a sore throat, congestion and a cough, for example they differ in their severities:

Generally, symptoms of the common cold are mild and develop slowly.

1. Symptoms are more serious with the flu such as high fever and extreme fatigue and body aches.
2. The symptoms of flu also tend to come on fast and make you feel much worse than the common cold.

How to manage cold symptoms at home

Although cold symptoms can be irritating, there are quite a few remedies that help soothe your discomfort and make you feel so much better while you await recovery:

1. Stay well hydrated: Fluids, which include plenty of water, herbal teas and broths, keep your throat moist and your body hydrated.
2. Rest: This allows the body time to recover from the virus. Rest as much as possible.
3. The following over the counter drugs can be employed: decongestants, pain relievers and cough medicines that alleviate symptoms.
4. Salt water gargling: Gargling with salt water provides soothing for the throat and reduces irritation.

Breathe into the steam of a hot shower or even just some hot water in a bowl to loosen up your congestion.

When to Seek Medical Care for Cold Symptoms

Often symptoms of the common cold will get better on their own. You should seek care from your physician if :

Your symptoms worsen after several days, or you develop a high fever. You are experiencing shortness of breath or you are having pains in your chest. You have a weak immune system or other medical conditions that may be exacerbated by a cold. 

MyHomeDoc Telehealth will be able to help you evaluate your symptoms, advise on appropriate treatment options and ensure you are recovering as expected all in the comfort of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the early signs of a cold?

Early signs of a cold are generally a sore throat, runny nose and light fatigue. Secondary and also quite common are sneezing and stuffiness of the nose. 

2. How do I know if it is a cold or sinus?

The onset of cold symptoms is usually slow, often developing from general body aches and a sore throat. Associated symptoms of a sinus cold often consist of extreme pressure in and around the eyes and forehead, thick nasal mucus and headache.

3. How can I prevent cold symptoms?

Prevention of cold symptoms can be done through frequent hand washing, avoidance of close contact with infected people and strengthening of the immune system with healthy foods. A clean environment and covering sneezes and coughs with tissues will also protect against the spread of the cold virus. 

4. What should I do if my cold symptoms are getting worse?

If your cold symptoms worsen after a couple of days or you start having a high fever, chest pain, and/or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. You may have developed a secondary infection that includes sinusitis or the flu. 

5. Can MyHomeDoc Telehealth help with cold symptoms?

Yes, with MyHomeDoc Telehealth takes easy online advice on cold symptoms and sinus problems or other health concerns. Our doctors can assess your condition, diagnose your illness and recommend a treatment right in the comfort of your home.

Conclusion

Understanding cold symptoms and how to differentiate them from other conditions, such as sinus cold symptoms will better let you take care of your health. Most cold symptoms can be relieved by proper care and home remedies without resorting to prescription medications. However, it is highly recommended to seek professional advice as symptoms worsen. At MyHomeDoc Telehealth, we are here to help. Be it advice for the management of cold symptoms, diagnosis or how to avoid complications; online consultations with us make getting the care you need easy. Don't let symptoms of the common cold get you down. Contact us today and begin your road to recovery from the comfort of your own home!