Upper Respiratory Infections

The common cold is an infection of your nose and throat by a virus. It usually goes away on its own even though it can be uncomfortable. The cold usually lasts a week to 10 days. This can last longer in people who smoke. Adults will usually have two to three colds a year.

A cold can include the following complaints:

runny or stuffy nose (the discharge can be yellow or even green)
sore throat
cough
body aches
mild headache
sneezing
low grade fever
generally not feeling well

Please call for an appointment if you have:

Adults

Severe headache, sinus pain. or sore throat
A fever above 101.3 F (38.5 C)
A fever lasting 5 or more days
A fever that comes back after being gone
SOB
wheezing
not eating or drinking

Children

ear pain
wheezing
fever over 100.4 F (38 C) in newborns up to 12 weeks
fever lasting more than two days or rising
worsening symptoms or just not getting better
very fussy
unusually sleepy
severe headache or cough

Colds can turn into ear infections, asthma flares, sinus infections, strep throat, pneumonia, croup, bronchitis.

Deborah Wheeler ARNP