ABOUT THE COMMON COLD...
There is no cure for the common cold. Upper respiratory infections or colds are an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by many different viral strains. They cannot be cured by antibiotics and generally antibiotics are not used even to prophylax (prevent) one from getting worse. However, over-the-counter medications may reduce your symptoms. Thus, it is important to determine if you have a viral cold opposed to a bacterial infection. Colds are spread mainly through droplet infection through kissing, sneezing, coughing, and contaminated hands. Colds may last in diminishing severity for two to four weeks. To prevent the spread of the virus, cover the mouth during sneezing and coughing. Also, wash your hands, especially before handling food. Make no mistake, the common cold can make people feel terrible. Viral illnesses are easier to spread from person to person than the bacterial ones.
GENERAL COLD INFORMATION
The following are all symptoms of the common cold. If you have had any of these symptoms (and none of the symptoms listed in the next section) for less than 4-6 days, you probably do not need medical attention for your illness. Try using over-the-counter medications, rest and fluids to alleviate your symptoms and realize that there may be a day or two where nothing seems of much help.
Symptoms
General body aches, Chills, Fever less than 101° F, Fatigue, Rundown feeling, Headache, Sneezing, Nasal congestion, Runny nose, Sore throat, Difficulty swallowing, Dry & hacky cough, Cough bringing up mucous
Do you have...
A rash?, more than a mild earache?, Facial pain?, A cough that produces green, brown, or bloody mucous?, Chest pain?, A wheeze?, A history of repeated strep throat, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, kidney disease (excluding common urinary tract infection), asthma, or chronic bronchitis?, Cold symptoms that have persisted for more than 4 days without improvement?, a fever of 101° F or more on each of the last 3 days?, White or yellow patches on the back of your throat?
...Contact the Main Health Center for an appointment.
There is no cure for the common cold. Upper respiratory infections or colds are an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by many different viral strains. They cannot be cured by antibiotics and generally antibiotics are not used even to prophylax (prevent) one from getting worse. However, over-the-counter medications may reduce your symptoms. Thus, it is important to determine if you have a viral cold opposed to a bacterial infection. Colds are spread mainly through droplet infection through kissing, sneezing, coughing, and contaminated hands. Colds may last in diminishing severity for two to four weeks. To prevent the spread of the virus, cover the mouth during sneezing and coughing. Also, wash your hands, especially before handling food. Make no mistake, the common cold can make people feel terrible. Viral illnesses are easier to spread from person to person than the bacterial ones.
GENERAL COLD INFORMATION
The following are all symptoms of the common cold. If you have had any of these symptoms (and none of the symptoms listed in the next section) for less than 4-6 days, you probably do not need medical attention for your illness. Try using over-the-counter medications, rest and fluids to alleviate your symptoms and realize that there may be a day or two where nothing seems of much help.
Symptoms
Do you have...
...Contact the Main Health Center for an appointment.
