Coming down with a cold is always inconvenient. With your busy and dynamic life, it seems like there is no time to deal with a runny nose or a sore throat!

There are millions of cold cases every year in the United States, so it should be no surprise that it is typical for adults to suffer through two to three colds each year. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team shares the details about the common cold.

Where Did My Cold Come From?

Colds are the result of a viral infection inside your nose or throat. Your nose will start to run, your throat will begin to hurt and you can be left feeling miserable! Many different types of coronaviruses cause the common cold. In fact, there are over 200 different strains of the common cold, and more are mutating all the time.

The majority of colds resolve on their own within a week and produce mild symptoms. Even if you feel OK during your cold, it is important to avoid contact with people so you don’t pass it along to someone else!

Classic Common Cold Symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild headache/body aches

How Often Do Colds Become Severe?

Most common colds don’t become severe enough to need professional medical attention. The best way to tackle a cold is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and treat your symptoms with OTC medications. If your symptoms fail to resolve after 10 days, it may be a good idea to visit with your care team to investigate further.

One important exception to make is if you have a sick infant younger than 3 months old. If your child is experiencing a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, it is always recommended to take him or her in to be seen, as infections can be more dangerous and progress quicker in little bodies.

Those at Higher Risk of Contracting a Cold

• Infants and the elderly
• Those with a weakened immune system
• Smokers

Feeling unwell is never fun! If you are concerned about any worsening or lingering symptoms from your recent illness, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Memphis today.