The common cold is a type of upper respiratory infection (URI). URIs are one of the most common reasons why students come to the student health service, especially in the winter months. Symptoms range from a runny nose and scratchy throat to high fever and trouble breathing.
Several different viruses can infect the upper respiratory tract, nose, throat, and larynx and cause the common cold. Colds are usually caused by a rhinovirus, resulting in fever, runny nose, moist cough, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and fullness in the ears lasting 7 to 10 days. Colds usually resolve themselves in 1 to 2 weeks, whether treated or not.
Important: Antibiotics are not effective in treating the common cold.
Treatment Recommendations
There are a number of things you can do to speed your recovery:
- Drink plenty of fluids. It is not necessary to eat if you have no appetite, but you should drink fluids to help control fever and reduce aches and pains.
- Rest. You do not have to stay in bed, but you should limit your activity as much as possible. The energy used for physical activity could be used by your body to fight the infection.
- Humidify the air by using a cool mist vaporizer, taking a steamy shower, hanging wet towels in the room, steam inhalations (face bowl), or placing a warm, moist towel over your face.
- Use salt-water nose drops (one-half teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of water or pre-mixed spray from pharmacy) to dislodge crusty nasal secretions that block openings into the sinuses and ears.
- Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), or naproxen (such as Aleve), which are available over-the-counter. They can relieve muscle aches and fever. Follow the recommended dosage on the package. You should not take aspirin.
- Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Oral decongestants (such as Sudafed) may relieve excessive nasal discharge and stuffiness. Preparations without antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness. Decongestants make some people jittery, unable to sleep, and may cause dry mouth.
- Cough syrups containing dextromethorphan may be used to suppress cough, especially if sleep is disrupted.
- Keeping a throat lozenge, cough drop, or hard candy in your mouth will stimulate your saliva and help soothe your throat.
- Gargle with warm, salt water (one-half teaspoon in an 8-ounce glass of water) every 3 to 4 hours to soothe sore throat pain.
- Practice good hygiene. To help prevent the spread of the virus, wash your hands frequently, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing, properly dispose of facial tissues, and do not share items like toothbrushes and drinking containers.
- If antibiotics are prescribed for your particular infection, carefully follow the instructions on the label. Antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills; a back-up method of birth control (e.g., condoms with spermicide) is suggested during the entire pill cycle.
Medications
These products are taken to relieve pain and fever. They should be taken as directed on the package. Examples: Ibuprofen* (Advil™); Naproxen Sodium* (Aleve™); Acetaminophen (Tylenol™).
*These drugs also reduce inflammation.
Caution: Aspirin may cause Reyes Syndrome; it is not recommended for college students.
Decongestants are used for a stuffy nose. They open clogged airways by reducing the swelling in the nasal passages and mucosal areas. Decongestants are available in nasal spray and tablet form. Examples of active ingredients to look for include: Suphedrine (tablets) and Oxymetazoline hydrochloride (nasal spray).
Precaution:
- People with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or overactive thyroids should consult with their clinician before taking these medicines.
- Overuse of a nasal spray may cause nasal rebound and worsening nasal congestion.
Antihistamines are used for a runny nose and sneezing. They block the release of a chemical called histamine. By blocking the body's natural sequence of events, the antihistamine reduces the amount of nasal secretions and pressure in the nasal cavity. They may also reduce cough caused by post-nasal drip.
Precaution:
- These medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Avoid using antihistamines with products containing alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, certain analgesics, or anti-anxiety agents.
Cough suppressants are used when a person has a dry cough and when there is excessive coughing, and there is no chest congestion present. Example: Dextromethorphan (Delsym™).
An expectorant is used when there is chest congestion present. Example: Guaifenesin (Robitussin™).
Cough suppressants and expectorants may be used in combination to treat disruptive coughing and chest congestion. Example: Robitussin DM™.
Lozenges, cough drops, and hard candy can soothe a sore throat.
Call the SHC if any of the following happen
- Temperature over 102°F persists
- Severe headache and/or visual changes
- Increased facial swelling
- Very large neck glands
- Painful joints
- Skin rash
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing own saliva
- Persistent vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Persistent greenish nasal discharge
- Foul odor to breath
If your need is urgent, and the student health service is closed, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 for an ambulance.