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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Disease > C > Colds

Colds    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Viral upper respiratory infection; Common cold

Treatment

Cold symptoms should go away in a week to 10 days. Treatment by a health care provider is not indicated for a cold unless symptoms continue, or existing respiratory conditions are worsened by the symptoms.

Home care measures may relieve some of the symptoms of the cold but will not affect the duration of the illness. These measures include taking over-the-counter pain relievers, drinking plenty of fluids, and rest. Antibiotics are not appropriate treatment for colds.

Prognosis

Symptoms usually go away in 7 to 10 days.

Complications

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Use home care measures first. Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve after 7 to 10 days, if breathing difficulty develops, or if thick, green or brown sputum develops.

Ency. home > Disease > C > Colds

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