The common cold is one of the most common acute illnesses. The average adult can expect to experience two to four colds a year, with children experiencing up to eight. While rarely more than a nuisance, cold symptoms can interfere with day-to-day responsibilities and often causes some to miss work. The expert caregivers at Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care, in Walnut Creek, California, can provide quick and effective cold care when you need to get better in a hurry. To learn more, call Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care for more information or come in right away.
The common cold is a simple viral infection that usually infects your upper respiratory tract. A variety of viruses can lead to a cold, making the common cold a yearlong potential nuisance.
Most colds cause a few common symptoms, though not everyone suffering from a cold will experience every one of them. These common symptoms include:
If symptoms from your cold last longer than 10 days or if you experience other severe symptoms such as a high fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, or a severe sore throat, you should seek medical attention.
Most people catch a cold through direct exposure to the cold virus. The virus enters your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth.
The cold virus can spread through water droplets in the air, often when someone with a cold coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Hand-to-hand contact and sharing utensils with someone with a cold can also pass the virus along.
Doctors can’t cure the common cold, but treatments can relieve your symptoms. Your Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care provider can recommend several medications to help control your symptoms, including decongestants, pain relievers, and cough medications.
Other treatment options recommended by Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care providers include staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest. Saltwater gargles and saline nasal drops can also help relieve a sore throat and sinus congestion, respectively.
While most colds will resolve on their own, you should take care to monitor your health for unusual symptoms. This is particularly important for children suffering from colds, as some of the symptoms can also indicate more serious medical conditions. You should seek treatment for your child’s cold if they exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
Adults might want to seek care for similar symptoms, particularly if your cold is causing severe respiratory issues.
Do you need a quick recovery from your nagging cold? Let the providers at Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care in Walnut Creek, California, help. Call or come in right away to receive expert care with little to no wait time.
