Self-Care Pocket Guide • Cold, Allergies, and Such
Common Colds

Low-Tech Cold and Flu Prevention

Overview

Colds are caused by any of over 200 respiratory viruses that can cause symptoms in your throat, ears, sinuses, nose, and other airways. Colds are transmitted when you inhale droplets containing virus particles that have been coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. You can also catch a cold by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after you've touched a virus-contaminated surface like door handles, computer keyboards, or money. Antibiotics aren't effective to treat cold viruses and should be prescribed only if a healthcare provider has diagnosed a "secondary" bacterial infection. A cold generally lasts 7 to 21 days.

Signs and Symptoms

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Post-nasal dri
• Cough
• Ear congestion
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Mild headache/sinus pressure
• Swollen and/or sore neck glands
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Self-Care Measures

• Rest as much as possible.
• Drink 8 ounces of water or juice each waking hour.
• Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home (especially your bedroom) moist. Clean it frequently as instructed by the manufacturer.
• Take an OTC analgesic for aches and fever.
• For a stuffy nose, take an OTC oral decongestant, use an OTC decongestant nasal spray or OTC saline nasal spray/drops, or make saline nasal drops at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Sniff a couple of drops into each nostril.
• A cough is not bad in and of itself, but if it's keeping you from sleeping or resting, take an OTC cough medicine.
• Take an OTC antihistamine for nasal drainage, watery eyes, and/or sneezing.

Red Flags

CALL THE UHS 24 HOUR NURSE ADVICE LINE 475-NURS (475-6877) IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

• Severe worsening of your cough with shaking chills and/or chest pain.
• Significant worsening of your symptoms over the course of one week.
• Fever of 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) or higher that doesn't come down after taking OTC analgesics or that lasts for more than 72 hours.
• Pain or tenderness in your face (over your sinuses) plus a thick nasal discharge that lasts more than one week or severe sinus pain or tenderness.
• Ear pain.
• The "worst headache of your life."
• Breathing difficulty with minimal exertion, at rest, or that interferes with talking that is not caused by nasal congestion.

CALL 911 OR GO DIRECTLY TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM IF EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

• Unusual dark spots (much like bruises) of any size on your skin. This can be a sign of meningococcal disease which progresses rapidly, can be fatal, and requires immediate medical care.
• Severe breathing problems.

Low-Tech Cold and Flu Prevention

The following consistently-practiced behaviors can help keep you from getting a cold or the flu or keep you from spreading these illnesses to others if you're sick.

First, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or clean them often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This will get rid of viruses you may have picked up from contaminated surfaces. Second, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.

If you already have a cold or the flu, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently to keep from transmitting viruses to others. Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs, and toss your tissues directly into a wastebasket after you've used them. Don't put them on a desktop, mouse pad, dashboard, or other surface that others may touch.