How to Treat a Cold in Adults and Children
Cold is a commonly used household term for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) that affect the upper respiratory tract. They are most often caused by respiratory viruses (influenza, rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and other respiratory viruses). Infection occurs mainly through airborne droplets during coughing, sneezing, and close contact with an infected person. The cold is one of the most widespread illnesses in the world. Most cases are mild and resolve on their own within 7-10 days without specific treatment.
Signs of a Cold
Symptoms of a cold usually appear within 1-3 days of contact with an infected person and include:
- Stuffy nose and/or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Pain, irritation, or discomfort in the throat
- Cough (more often dry at the onset of the illness)
- Fever, depending on the age of the patient and the type of virus
- General weakness, malaise
- Moderate intensity headache
- Decreased appetite
All signs are nonspecific and can vary in intensity and combination.
How to Treat a Cold in Adults and Children
There are no specific treatments for most cold illnesses. The basis is symptomatic therapy.
Recommended:
- Sufficient fluid intake
- Home or bed rest depending on the severity of symptoms
- Humidifying the air indoors
- Nasal rinsing with saline solutions
- Antipyretic and analgesic medications for fever, headache, body aches (depending on age, weight, and condition of the patient)
- Symptomatic medication therapy with over-the-counter medications depending on symptoms
Not Recommended
- Antiviral medications (except for specific ones, for example - for influenza), immunomodulators, vitamin preparations
- Antibiotics in patients without signs of bacterial infection
- The use of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
- Cough medicines in younger children
Most cold illnesses resolve on their own, but in some cases, medical consultation is necessary.
Adults should seek medical help if there is:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or a sensation of pressure in the chest
- Fever above 38°C lasting more than 3 days or the appearance of fever after a period of improvement
- Severe weakness, dizziness, signs of dehydration, drowsiness
- Significant deterioration in condition or the appearance of new symptoms that cause concern for the patient
- Pregnancy or presence of chronic illness.
Children need to consult a doctor if:
- The child is under one year old (especially the first 3 months), with or without a fever above 38°C
- Difficulty, rapid, or noisy breathing
- The child has difficulty feeding and drinking
- Temperature persists for more than 3 days
- The child is excessively drowsy, lethargic, or difficult to wake up
- The condition worsens, does not improve, or causes concern for the parents.
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