Being sick can be unpleasant. Common colds are very common infections that are caused by viruses. They are contagious through direct contact and airborne transmission and tend to spread quickly during the winter months. Although cold symptoms tend to be mild and will go away on their own over time, their symptoms can lead to fatigue and make it difficult to keep up with day-to-day tasks. In this article, we will discuss common causes of the common cold and different ways to treat a cold.
If you’re feeling sick, seeking medical care early can help you recover quickly. At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, our walk-in urgent care clinic makes it easy for patients near Burlington, MA to get prompt illness symptom diagnosis and treatment. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for same-day illness treatment!
Are Colds Contagious?
Colds are caused by mild viral infections. Unlike their more severe bacterial infection counterparts, colds cause mild symptoms which usually resolve on their own within 10 days. Like many virus infections, colds are highly contagious from person to person. There are many different viruses that can lead to cold-like symptoms. Rhinoviruses are responsible for around 50% of cold-related cases and are primarily spread through airborne exposure through coughing and sneezing near others.
Symptoms of a Cold
While cold symptoms are typically pretty mild, they can be long-lasting and irritating to manage. Symptoms of a cold can come on suddenly and last over a week. It is important to know the symptoms associated with a cold so that you can know when to self-isolate to prevent the spread of infection. Here are some symptoms you might experience if you've caught a cold:
- Runny Nose
- Congestion
- Low-grade fever
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore Throat
- Fatigue
Treatment Options for a Cold
Viral infections such as colds cannot be treated with medications. As a result, the best way to treat cold-like symptoms is to rest and focus on managing your symptoms while your body fights off the infection. There are many different medications available over-the-counter that target cold-related symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or are worsening over time, you should seek medical care for a medical diagnosis, rather than attempting to treat your symptoms at home. Cough suppressants, decongestants, nasal sprays, cough drops, and fever-reducing medications may all be useful in fighting off cold symptoms.
If you’re fighting off cold symptoms, it is important to support your immune system to allow it to function effectively. You can boost your immune system by taking vitamin C, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and ensuring that you’re getting enough rest.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Burlington for Same-Day Illness Treatment
At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, we understand that illness symptoms can be frustrating. If you’re feeling under the weather and are in search of rapid relief from illness symptoms, our medical providers can help. Our walk-in clinic offers patients in Burlington, MA, with rapid illness diagnosis and treatment. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic for rapid care. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care to patients paying out-of-pocket for their healthcare.
