Common cold symptoms and treatment

A cold can cause a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough, tiredness, and a mild temperature. Symptoms may overlap with other infections, so their combination and progression matter. A cough may continue after the nasal symptoms start improving because irritated airways take time to settle. The Common Cold is a viral upper-airway illness; antibiotics do not treat the virus. Earache, worsening chest symptoms, or pronounced facial pain may point to a complication or a different condition.

Sleep when you can, drink enough to avoid dehydration, and choose soft foods or warm drinks if your throat is sore. Saline spray can ease nasal blockage. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may reduce pain or fever when appropriate for you; follow the label and check combination cold products to avoid taking the same ingredient twice. Honey may soothe a cough for adults and children over twelve months, but never give honey to an infant. Ask a pharmacist before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, prostate problems, are pregnant, or take regular medicines.

Get urgent help for difficult breathing, chest pain, severe drowsiness, blue lips, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician when fever is persistent or symptoms improve and then clearly worsen, or when cough, earache, or facial pain is severe. Children with noisy breathing or a barking cough need prompt assessment for Croup. A clinician can also check for Acute Bronchitis, Sinusitis, or a Middle Ear Infection when the pattern does not fit a straightforward cold.

Which symptom medicine is safe with my current treatment? Could my cough or ear pain indicate another infection? How should I monitor a child or older adult at home?