Supporting cold symptom relief

Sore throat, runny nose, sneezing — for most people, these are common symptoms of a cold. When the illness finally lands, it can take about one to two weeks to recover. It can be helpful to know what kind of symptoms to look for and how to manage them at home.

In this article:

Understanding the common cold

What’s a cold? A common cold is an infection in a person’s upper respiratory tract that can be caused by hundreds of different viruses. Research suggests that adults can get two to three colds a year. Children are likely to get sick with colds more often. Colds are more likely to happen in the winter or spring, but they’re possible any time of year.

Colds can be confused with similar infections, like the flu, COVID-19 and strep throat. Like these, a cold may cause pain and symptoms in the throat, nose, head and sinuses. Colds are most commonly caused by rhinoviruses. These contagious viruses are typically minor and can be spread at any time of the year.

Common cold symptoms

Cold symptoms usually start within the first one to three days after exposure. For most people, a cold will last anywhere from one to two weeks. Though a cold doesn’t usually cause long-term problems, the symptoms can be unpleasant. Common cold symptoms may include:

• Body aches
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sinus congestion
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

A low-grade fever is also possible. However, this is less likely with a cold than with another condition such as the flu or COVID-19.

Managing cold symptoms

A common cold can usually be dealt with at home. Some ways to support cold symptom relief include resting and drinking plenty of fluids, especially since common colds cannot be cured (but should improve on their own), and antibiotics are not effective against cold viruses.

Sore throat treatment

When someone has a cold, common symptoms may include coughing or a sore throat. But there are ways to help ease the pain and make recovery easier. Drinking warm liquids like warm apple juice, tea or broth can help calm a sore throat.

Gargling with warm saltwater may help provide some symptom relief. However, young children might not be able to gargle. Throat lozenges and cough drops can also help people who have a sore throat. Just be sure to follow the directions on the package, as some products are not recommended for use in children younger than age 6.

For both adults and children, eating ice chips or popsicles can help numb throat pain and keep them hydrated.

Treating congestion

If someone has sinus congestion or a stuffy nose, using a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer or saline nasal spray may help clear mucus and moisturize the nasal passages. However, dirty humidifiers may make a person sicker or worsen symptoms, so it’s important to clean them and replace filters as directed by each product.

For a stuffy nose, people can consider using nasal decongestants. These treatments are available as over-the-counter (OTC) syrups, sprays, drops or pills. Nasal decongestants help people breathe easier by reducing swelling of the blood vessels within the nose, which helps open the airways.

Make sure to follow each product's directions since many decongestant nasal sprays cannot be used for more than a few days at a time. Speak to a health care provider before starting or stopping any type of medication.

Nasal decongestants are not recommended for everyone, and many packages indicate that a doctor should be consulted before they are used in children under age 6.

Natural options for managing cold symptoms

Research suggests that eating certain foods can help ease certain cold symptoms:

• Honey can be used to help relieve cough when sick, and it is generally safe for everyone over 1 year old.
• Broth provides hydration and can help soothe a sore throat.

When to see a health care provider for a cold

Colds can come on quickly — but most people won’t need to see a health care provider for treatment. However, if symptoms get worse or things change, it’s important to get checked out. Colds can sometimes lead to other illnesses, like sinus or ear infections, asthma attacks, bronchitis or pneumonia.

Symptoms of a cold that may require further evaluation by a health care provider may include:

• Worsening cough as other symptoms improve
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever that lasts more than four days or a high fever (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher)
• Flare-up of any chronic lung condition, such as asthma
• Symptoms that don’t improve or last more than 10 days
• Wheezing or shortness of breath

Catching a cold can be dangerous for young children or people with weakened immune systems because their bodies have a harder time protecting themselves from infections.

How to prevent the spread of colds

Cold viruses are highly contagious, especially among children. And while colds aren’t completely preventable, there are a few things that can help reduce the risk of getting sick or spreading the cold virus:

• Avoiding close contact with those who are sick
• Covering nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing
• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces like desks, tables and doorknobs
• Eating and sleeping well
• Exercising
• Not sharing beverages or eating utensils
• Not touching the eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands
• Properly washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available
• Wearing a mask if a person is experiencing respiratory symptoms

Key takeaways

Cold viruses are a part of life. They’re not preventable and there’s no cure, but there are ways to make symptoms more manageable. People who are sick are advised to stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be taken for symptoms when appropriate. While most people won’t need to see a health care provider for treatment, people with weakened immune systems or other risk factors should consider getting checked out if their symptoms persist or worsen.