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Overview

The prevailing wisdom is that when you have a cold, it’s best to treat it at home. That’s because colds are caused by viruses, which can’t be treated with antibiotics. In fact, taking antibiotics when you have a viral infection may do more harm than good. It may actually increase your risk of getting an infection later that will be resistant to antibiotic treatment.

The common cold is an upper respiratory viral infection. It creates inflammation in the nose and throat.Symptoms包括：

A typical cold will last about 10 days, with the body’s immune system eventually getting rid of the infection on its own. During the life of the cold, it can seem to actually get worse. Sometimes, complications may arise that require a doctor’s intervention.

那么，您怎么知道什么时候等待它，何时寻求医疗或何时尝试其他治疗？这是期望的。

Symptoms

Symptoms of the common cold usually begin two to three days after initial infection. By the time you start feeling it, you’ve probably been contagious for two to three days.

On day one of symptoms, you’re likely to experience a little tickle in the back of your throat and find yourself reaching for tissues more often than usual. At this point, it may be difficult to determine whether you have the cold orthe flu。通常，流感会导致更多的疲劳，并且body achesthan a cold.

治疗

Treating your symptoms as soon as you think you have a cold may help you recover faster than you normally would. Zinc may help shorten the duration of a cold. Takingzinc supplementsas early as possible seems to increase your recovery speed.

An analysis of several studies found that compared to adults who didn’t take zinc, adults who took zinc as a lozenge, pill, or syrup at the beginning of their cold had their symptoms end two days earlier.

In addition to taking zinc, you can try these remedies at home:

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Suck oncough drops或者lozengesmedicated with menthol or camphor.
  • Use ahumidifier或者vaporizer (or do hot steam showers) to clear sinus passages and ease sinus pressure.
  • Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. They increase the risk ofdehydration。
  • 尝试盐水nasal sprays清除鼻子和鼻窦。
  • Trydecongestants, particularly those that contain pseudoephedrine.
  • Get plenty of rest.

Consider taking one to two days off of work to stay home and sleep. Your body repairs best while it’s sleeping. Getting some extra rest early on may help your immune system better fight the virus. It also will protect your co-workers from catching the same virus.

Symptoms

On the second and third days, you’re likely to have worse symptoms, such as a consistently runny nose and increased sore throat. You may also have a low-grade fever with a temperature less than 102°F. You may not feel much different than you did the first day if your at-home remedies are working. Keep up the fluids, rest, and zinc, and you may get away with only a few sniffles and coughs.

治疗

Typically, you’re most contagious during this period, so practice good hand washing. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough. Try to stay home from work if you can. Regularly disinfect surfaces such as countertops, phones, doorknobs, and computer keyboards.

Try these treatments to ease your symptoms:

鸡汤：Mothers have used chicken soup for generations to help when family members feel ill. The warm liquid can soothe symptoms and it does seem to help relieve congestion by increasing the flow of mucus.

Rest:确保你得到足够的休息和小睡you feel like it. Propping yourself up with pillows can lessen sinus congestion and allow you to sleep better.

Steam:要放松拥堵，请坐在一碗热水上，将毛巾放在头上，然后吸入蒸汽。热气腾腾的淋浴也可能会有所帮助。您可以在房间中使用蒸发器或加湿器放松拥堵并帮助您入睡。

Throat soothers:Try hot beverages with honey to soothe throat pain, or gargle with warm salt water.

Antihistamines:Antihistaminesmay provide relief from cough, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.Try these options on Amazon.com.

期望者：For a cough, try anover-the-counter expectorant。An饥荒者is a drug that brings up mucus and other material from the lungs.

Fever reducers:乙酰氨基酚和布洛芬等止痛药可以帮助发烧和头痛。不要给19岁以下的儿童服用阿司匹林。它与罕见但严重疾病的风险有关Reye’s syndrome。

Cool washcloth:To get relief from a fever, try placing a cool washcloth on your forehead or behind your neck. You can also take a lukewarm shower or bath.

Mild exercise:If you feel well enough to exercise, moving may help boost your immune system. But make sure that you don’t overdo it! Intense activity can reduce your resistance to the infection. Try a brisk walk rather than an all-out run.

Symptoms

这通常是鼻腔症状最激烈的时期。您的鼻子可能完全被拥挤，您可能会发现您可以在一箱纸巾上穿过盒子。鼻腔排出可能会变厚，变成黄色或绿色。您的喉咙可能会酸痛，您可能会头痛。您可能会在此阶段注意到更多的疲劳，因为您的身体组装了所有防御能力以抵抗病毒。

治疗

At this point, it’s important to keep your sinuses as clear as you can. All that fluid in your sinuses makes the perfect environment for bacteria. Try using a saline rinse or aNeti锅。Flushing out the congestion will help you reduce your risk of developing asinus infection。在Amazon.com上找到Neti Pots。

Take some time off work if you need to so you can rest. At the very least, try to catch a nap during the day. Be sure to see your doctor if you have more serious symptoms. Otherwise, get some rest, take a steamy shower, and try some more chicken soup and hot tea with honey.

Symptoms

在此期间，您的身体可能会在与感染的斗争中占上风。您可能会注意到自己开始感觉更强壮，或者您的某些症状正在缓解。

治疗

If you’re still fighting with congestion and a sore throat at this stage, don’t panic. Continue to drink lots of fluids and rest when you can. Your body may require more time to beat the virus if you tried to power through your cold and failed to get enough rest.

Symptoms

If you’re not feeling better by day 10, you definitely should be by day 14. You may have a few lingering symptoms, like a runny nose or a tickle in your throat. Overall, though, you should be feeling stronger.

See your doctor if you’ve had the cold for three weeks and you still have congestion or a sore throat. Something else may be going on if you’re still hoarse, have enlarged lymph nodes that are still irritated, or have excessive fatigue.

For example, if you still have itchy eyes and nasal congestion, you may have allergies.

A sinus infection may be indicated by:

  • 鼻充血或彩色排放
  • a sore throat
  • pressure and pain around the eyes and forehead
  • fatigue

Colds can also worsen other medical conditions likeasthma,congestive heart failure, and kidney disorders. Get medical help right away if you have breathing trouble,rapid heartbeat，晕倒或其他严重症状。

You also may be in danger of a second infection at this point. Your body is still recovering from the last fight, so be sure to continue washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces around you to reduce your risk of catching another virus. Taking caution at this stage will help ensure that you fully recover.

Serious symptoms

Sometimes, what seems like a cold can develop into something more serious. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of these more serious symptoms:

所有这些电脑toms may signal the presence of another infection or other medical issue. If you experience any of these while you’re trying to self-treat a cold, be sure to see your doctor right away.

If you experience a faster onset of symptoms, you may have the flu instead of a cold. You may feel significantly worse within three to four hours if you have the flu.

Flu-like symptoms may include:

  • painful sore throat
  • deep cough
  • extreme fatigue
  • sudden fever

Usually these can be treated at home. However, pregnant women, children, older adults, and people with pre-existing medical conditions should get medical care as soon as possible. These people are at a higher risk for seriousflu-related complications。