Explainer | The common cold: quick facts about this virus – its symptoms and how to treat it, especially amid medication shortages
- The No 1 piece of advice from experts if you catch a cold? Stay at home and rest to prevent spreading the virus and to allow the body to recover
- Pain medications are in short supply, but you can treat a common cold by keeping warm, drinking lots of clear fluids – and getting plenty of sleep
If you didn’t already know by the cacophony of sniffles and coughs in public places, cold season is in full swing.
If you’re sick, health experts say it’s important to stay at home and rest to allow the body to recover and prevent transmitting the virus to others.
But some cold symptoms can last for weeks. So how do you know when it’s the right time to return to daily activities? Here’s what experts say.
Common cold symptoms
Can you get a fever with a cold?
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Fevers aren’t common with colds but can happen, says Dr Joseph Khabbaza, pulmonary and critical care doctor at the Cleveland Clinic in the US state of Ohio.
Typical cold symptoms include:
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a runny or congested nose
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cough
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sore throat
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mild headache
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sneezing
How long does a cold last? How long is it contagious?
Cold symptoms can last seven to 10 days and may be most contagious in the first four to five days, says Dr Maria Eugenia Petrini, medical director of the clinically integrated network at Nemours Children’s Health in the US state of Delaware.
Can you catch a cold from cold weather?
“Bundle up or you’ll catch a cold!” It’s an age-old expression parents say to children who refuse to wear their jackets. But a recent study found out they may be right.
Researchers from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts studied nasal samples and found immune mechanisms in the nose worked differently at different temperatures.
At 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the nose successfully blocked viruses from entering the body.
“Our study is really focused on prevention, that initial exposure and how to enhance your defences,” says lead author Mansoor Amiji, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University.
How to treat a common cold
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Drinking lots of fluids: Yes, that includes chicken noodle soup. Clear liquids – like water – are best, but experts also recommend warm apple juice or lemonade for small children.
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Staying comfortable: Wear loose-fitting clothing or take lukewarm showers/baths if you have a fever. Avoid cold baths that could make you shiver and raise your body temperature.
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Getting plenty of rest.
What can make a cold worse?
“You can prolong recovery time if you don’t give yourself the extra time to recover,” Petrini says.
When can you return to daily activities after a cold?
Health experts urge people to stay at home while sick to prevent transmitting the virus in public spaces.
“People think they can continue their routine life. But if you have a cold, you’re going through a viral process that’s contagious,” Petrini says. “Staying at home when you feel sick is the right thing to do for yourself and for others, too.”
After a week or two, it’s OK to start returning to daily activities even if there are still some lingering cold symptoms. But it’s important to heed your body’s limitations.
How to stay healthy during coronavirus outbreak, flu season
If you want to return to the gym, “go back gradually”, Petrini says. “Instead of taking a full class, take a half class, test the waters, see how the body reacts to the exercise and the demand.”
Adults planning to return to the office should follow the advice for children returning to school. “They need to be fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms need to be getting better,” Petrini says. The same goes for adults, if they’re not feeling too fatigued.
