What should you know about a common cold lasting 2 weeks?

Cold symptoms do not always disappear together. A runny or blocked nose may settle while throat irritation or a cough continues. Mucus draining from the nose into the throat can keep triggering cough, especially at night. Tiredness may also outlast the most noticeable nasal symptoms.

Symptoms that stop improving, become more intense, or return after a clear improvement can point to another problem that needs examination. Possibilities include acute bronchitis, sinusitis, or a middle-ear infection, depending on the symptoms and the body area affected. A lingering cough can have causes other than a cold, so its character and associated symptoms matter.

Rest when you feel unwell, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration, and avoid smoking or smoky air. Saline nasal drops or spray may ease a blocked nose. Warm drinks can soothe an irritated throat, and honey may help a cough for adults and children over one year old. Follow the label of any non-prescription medicine and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, treating a child, or taking other medicines.

Keep track of the direction of your symptoms rather than focusing only on the number of days. Note whether you have fever, breathing difficulty, chest pain, facial pressure, ear pain, or a cough that is changing. This information helps a clinician decide whether you need an examination or additional treatment.

Arrange a medical review if symptoms are not improving after two weeks, are getting worse, or improve and then return. Seek prompt care for shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, marked drowsiness, difficulty swallowing fluids, or signs of dehydration. A high or persistent fever, severe facial pain, significant ear pain, or coughing up blood also needs assessment.

Get urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, or a person who is difficult to wake. Children with noisy breathing, struggling to breathe, or a harsh barking cough should be assessed promptly; croup can require urgent attention.

Ask: Could this still be a cold, or does the pattern suggest sinusitis, acute bronchitis, or an ear infection? What findings would make you recommend testing or treatment? Which symptom-relief medicines are suitable for my age, pregnancy status, and other medicines? What changes should prompt urgent care?