Cold how many days

If you suspect allergies or a sinus infection, Dr. Glatt recommends seeing your doctor to get a complete evaluation. It can be difficult to tell these illnesses apart because they share so many traits. In other words, you could have more than one ailment at the same time, according to the CDC.

One clue for distinguishing between them is fever, Mandal notes. In general, CDC experts say, flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly rather than build up gradually as they do with the common cold. They are also more intense and last longer.

And COVID symptoms can include ones not typically seen with a cold or the flu, such as diarrhea and a new loss of taste or smell, according to the CDC. As always, call your medical provider if any symptoms become severe or concerning to you. Someone showing any of the following signs should seek emergency medical care immediately:. Additional reporting by Nuna Alberts. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

About 2 to 3 days after you first started feeling under the weather your symptoms will likely be at their worst. In addition to a sore, scratchy throat and fatigue, you may also develop the following symptoms:.

During this time, you may notice that your nasal discharge has turned to a yellow or green color. This is a sign that your body has been actively fighting the infection. Some people may also have a lingering cough or fatigue. In some cases, a cough can last for several weeks. On average, children get more colds in a year than adults. In fact, while an average adult may experience two to four colds in a year, children may have between six and eight.

The duration of a cold can be longer in children — up to 2 weeks. While cold symptoms are similar in children and adults, some additional symptoms in children include:.

Although most children will get better within a couple weeks, you should keep an eye out for possible complications. These include:. The best way to treat a common cold is to focus on alleviating the symptoms until the infection has run its course. OTC pain relievers can help relieve symptoms like fever, headache, and aches and pains. Some options include ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , aspirin , and acetaminophen Tylenol.

There are many types of OTC medications that can help relieve cold symptoms like nasal congestion, watery eyes, and cough. Consider these OTC medications:. Some cough and cold medications have caused serious side effects in young children and infants, such as slowed breathing. The common cold is contagious. This means that it can be passed from person to person. Most colds symptoms typically get better within a week or two. Generally speaking, you should see a doctor if symptoms last longer than 10 days without improvement.

Additionally, there are some other symptoms to watch out for. Follow up with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms:. In adults, the common cold typically clears up in about 7 to 10 days. Days Energy and congestion improve. Keeping Your Infection to Yourself. Remedies for Cold and Flu Symptoms. Honey 1 tablespoon of raw honey 1 to 3 times daily. Note: honey is not safe for infants under 12 months.

Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head. Sore Throat Pain relievers: Acetaminophen Tylenol. Follow directions on the packaging. Cooling or numbing medicines: Chloraseptic spray, lozenges, gargle echinacea tincture in water.

Saltwater gargles throughout the day: 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Chicken soup or other clear broth. Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure Oral decongestants: Pseudoephedrine Sudafed is the most effective choice, but you have to ask for it at the pharmacist counter and show ID. Avoid decongestants if you have poorly controlled high blood pressure. Nasal spray decongestant: Oxymetazoline Afrin.

Pain relievers: Acetaminophen Tylenol. Nasal steroid spray: Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort Nasal irrigation twice daily with warm salt water neti pot, NeilMed Sinus Rinse, Nasaline Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head. Moist heat compresses over your sinuses for several minutes a few times a day.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid pseudoephedrine or take care to monitor your blood pressure while you take it. Nasal spray decongestant: Oxymetazoline Afrin can be used for a short time.

Antihistamines: Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl all available in generic formulas are all effective. Saline nasal spray Steam inhalation: Boil 1 inch of water in a pot, remove from the stove, add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil if desired, and inhale slowly for a few minutes twice daily with a towel over your head.

Fever Fever reducers: Acetaminophen Tylenol Drink lots of water.