With the fall season among us, temperatures have begun dropping and fall illnesses are circulating. This means that the normal fall symptoms are going around, such as sore throats, coughs, body aches and more. However, how do you tell whether the symptom you’re experiencing is something serious, or just a common cold? Read on to learn about whether a cold can develop into a fever, or if your fever is something more serious that you should seek medical attention for.

Symptoms of a Common Cold

Although relatively harmless, the common cold is a common fall illness that causes a variety of annoying symptoms. Colds are caused by a viral infection that causes inflammation to your nose and throat. There are hundreds of viruses that could cause you to get a cold. You cannot take antibiotics for a cold because they are not caused by a bacterial infection, meaning that although the symptoms are annoying and sometimes long lasting, your body will fight off the infection on its own.

Common cold symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Watery eyes
• Fever

Viruses are extremely contagious through airborne transmission as well as cross contamination through contact with shared surfaces. Regular hand washing and surface sterilization may help reduce your risk of contracting a cold this fall. Cold symptoms may vary based on what kind of virus you have. Cold symptoms often self resolve within 7-10 days of first appearing, although they may resolve faster or last for more than 10 days.

When to Seek Medical Treatment for a Cold at Urgent Care

So, can a cold lead to a fever? Yes, in some cases it can lead to a low-grade fever. Although, the development of a fever from a cold is not very common. If you have a high fever that lasts multiple days, you should seek medical attention as that indicates that something more serious could be going on. Additionally, if you have prolonged symptoms, or have more severe symptoms, you should seek medical advice at urgent care for proper symptom diagnosis and treatment.

There are a variety of over-the-counter cold medications that you can choose from when in search of something to help relieve your cold symptoms. Most of the medications that will help with your cold symptoms contain Acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer. You should always follow the dosage instructions, and seek medical advice if you are unsure which medication may help with your symptoms.

Urgent Care Diagnosis & Treatment for Fevers Near North Bergen, NJ

If you have a fever, there is a chance that it may not be caused by a cold. Fevers are symptoms of many different ailments, and if your fever persists more than 3 days or reaches 103 degrees, you should seek immediate medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you have a fever, AFC Urgent Care North Bergen is here to help. Walk-in today for fast diagnostic testing without the need for an appointment. If you’re unsure whether you need medical treatment, speak to one of our medical professionals by calling (201) 588-1300.