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Michigan Hypertension Center Personal Adult Care with Academic Excellence |
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Colds are due to viruses and occur year round in all climates. There are thousands of viruses that result in the common cold. Colds are the result of the virus being transmitted from another person with a cold and are not due to being exposed to cold weather or windy, damp conditions. Colds are more common in the wintertime and around holidays when people are often in frequent contact with each other in close quarters. Each cold has different symptoms, although the common link is usually a runny nose. "Sinus" headache around the eyes, postnasal drip in the throat, cough, earache(s), low-grade fever, and achy muscles are also common. It is common for several viruses to be circulating within the community at any time. Often, the cold presents to most people with a similar sequence or pattern. An example, first develops a sore throat, achy muscles, and then a drippy nose, however a cold due to a different virus may present with a cough first and no sore throat and hoarseness. Healthcare providers usually are able to realize this pattern after a several patients tell their symptoms. If the cold results in a cough it is called a bronchitis. The cough sometimes results in mucus that is yellow, brown, or green. If this is at the beginning of the illness or when awakening, this is just part of the cold. The mucus is especially discolored in smokers. This does not necessarily mean that antibiotics are needed (see below). Each cold lasts differently. Some colds last 1-3 days, others last 7-10 days. Colds usually last longer in smokers. Treatment Colds are not treated with antibiotics, as there are no antibiotics for viruses that cause colds. Additionally, we are increasingly concerned about resistance to antibiotics. We do suggest treating the cold symptoms for comfort. There are many over-the-counter cold remedies and medications. There are actually few differences between the choices. Most over-the-counter medications contain something for pain, a decongestant, and possibly an anti-histamine. If you have pain, including a sore throat, pain medications will help. Aleve and Motrin/Advil/Ibuprofen can be useful if you are not taking anti-coagulation medication (i.e.-Coumadin/warfarin), arthritis medication (ibuprofen, naprosyn, Celebrex, Vioxx, Betra, etc), or have kidney disease. Adults can take twice the recommended dosage of these medications, unless they result in upset stomach, in which case they should be stopped. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is useful for pain if you cannot take the above choices. Salty foods often help with the sore throat and these are often better than gargling with saltwater which just gets to the mouth, not the throat. Crackers, pretzels, and potato chips are soothing. There is an added benefit in that these are usually not recommended by most doctors for daily consumption, but are useful for this miserable condition! Antihistamines have not been found to be helpful, except to make you tired at bedtime to help you sleep. Benadryl is useful at bedtime, usually 25-50mg for the average adult an hour prior to sleep. Decongestants are especially useful for the symptoms of a runny nose or drip in the back of the throat. Sudafed 12 hour is useful in the morning and will not make you tired. It maybe necessary to avoid this if you have episodes of fast heart beats. You should only take this in the morning, as if you take it too late you will have difficulty sleeping. The Sudafed may result in throat dryness, however fluids are useful for this and also for the cold. Afrin nasal spray is useful before bedtime. It should only be used once-a-day, as it is addictive to the nose if used twice-a-day for more than 3 days. Secondary Bacterial Infections Colds will infrequently turn into a bacterial infection. Usually this occurs later in the illness after the first 3-5 days. The individual usually starts to feel better and then develops a new symptom. The nasal or post-nasal mucus that initially was clear turns yellow or green or it becomes thick or foul tasting. This suggests a secondary sinus infection (sinusitis). Often it is accompanied by tenderness around the eyes which is worse with leaning forward. Sometimes an upper toothache develops. The mucus is this consistency throughout the day, not just upon awakening. Antibiotics are useful for bacterial sinusitis. Saline nasal spray, purchased at the pharmacy, is also useful and can be used as often as needed. Some people irrigate their sinuses with a bulb syringeand with saline solution, purchased at the pharmacy. Although it is uncomfortable for a minute, it gets rid of the mucus and relieves the pressure around the eyes. Smokers are very predisposed to bacterial bronchitis. This is when the cough changes to produces thick, green/yellow/brown sputum. Antibiotics are also useful for this. If fever (above 101 degrees or later in the illness), confusion, or shortness of breath develop, you should see a doctor that day. If you have a concern, please call anytime (734) 475-8677 to discuss this. This could indicate pneumonia that would need aggressive treatment. |
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Chelsea Internal Medicine