How can I be sure I have a cold?
A cold is usually diagnosed simply by assessing symptoms at home and without testing. Over-the-counter cold medications often can help with symptom control. The common cold will usually resolve within approximately one week of onset of symptoms.
Key Symptoms:
- Runny and congested nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Generally feeling unwell
A mild cough due to postnasal drip and sneezing can occur.
More serious symptoms, such as fever and shortness of breath, are not typical symptoms of the common cold.
There is no cure for a cold. To feel better, you should get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may help ease symptoms but will not make your cold go away any faster. The treatments prescribed below will help you feel better:
General Instructions:
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco smoke
- Get plenty of sleep/rest
- Increase fluids (water, hot tea, avoid beverages high in sugar) – 8 cups of liquids a day
- To relieve congestion use a vaporizer, saline nasal spray, or twice day sinus rinses.
- To soothe a sore throat use ice chips, sore throat/lozenges, or gargle with warm salt water (1/2 tsp/4 oz).
Specific Medications:
Fever or Aches
- Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) – Fever reducer, anti inflammatory, pain reliever: 2-3 tabs three times daily with food as needed
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) fever reducer, pain reliever: 1000mg every 6 hours as needed. DO NOT exceed 3000mg in 24 hours.
- Naproxen(Aleve) – Fever reducer, anti-inflammatory, pain reliever
Congestion:
- Mucinex (Guaifenesin), Sudafed(D, pseudoephedrine), Medi-Phenyl (phenylephrine)
- Mucinex – expectorant
- Mucinex D – expectorant, decongestant
- Sudafed – decongestant
- Medi-Phenyl – decongestant
- Afrin – 2 squirts each nare for 3 days ONLY, followed by sinus rinses
Cough Suppressants:
- Dextromethophan (Deslym 12)
- Mucinex DM (+expectorant)
- Robitussin DM (+expectorant)
When to see a doctor:
- Rapidly worsening symptoms
- Symptoms that last more than 10 to 14 days after trying self-care measures
- A fever greater than 101.3 F (38.5 C), a fever lasting 5 days or more, or a fever that returns.
- Wheezing or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Persistent and severe sore throat, particularly if unable to swallow or open the mouth
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can make an appointment with a CSU Health Network medical provider by calling (970) 491-7121 or schedule an appointment online through the CSU Student Health Portal.
Before you’re sick: prevention and care
- Practice good hand hygiene.
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water, rubbing your hands together for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective, unless hands are visibly soiled or grossly contaminated.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can easily spread this way.
- Perform routine cleaning.
Disinfect items and surfaces likely to have frequent hand contact like door knobs, phones, keyboards, counters, desks, remote controls and refrigerator handles.
- Engage in immune boosting strategies:
- Get quality sleep – Set a schedule and supportive routine for sleep. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is optimal.
- Reduce stress and develop good coping mechanisms.
- Engage in physical activity.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Quit smoking/vaping. Support is available.
- Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.
Colds are usually milder than the flu, and people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, often accompanied by sneezing. Sore throats can be common. Colds generally do not lead to more serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations, but the flu can.
