Illness symptoms can disrupt your everyday life. Even if your symptoms are mild, being congested or having a cough can make it difficult to keep up with your routine. Colds are mild viral infections that are very common during the fall and winter. Because colds are caused by a virus, they cannot be treated with medication like antibiotics. Your body will fight off the virus on its own over time. Keep reading to learn more about cold symptoms and how long they typically last. If you’re suffering from illness symptoms, walk into AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for same-day treatment in North Bergen, NJ.
Common Cold Symptoms
The common cold is a very common illness. Cases tend to peak during the fall and winter months, however, colds can spread at any time of the year. Colds are caused by viral infections which typically affect the upper respiratory system including your lungs, throat, and sinuses. Colds can cause a variety of irritating symptoms.
Common cold symptoms include:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
- Post-nasal drip
How Long Do Cold Symptoms Last?
Colds are caused by mild viral infections. Because of this, cold symptoms tend to be very mild. Despite this, cold symptoms can still be very frustrating. Cold symptoms typically last 1-2 weeks and go away on their own over time. You cannot treat cold symptoms with medications such as antibiotics. Instead, over-the-counter medications can help you manage symptoms while your body fights off the infection.
Like all viral infections, colds are very contagious from person to person. Although cold symptoms are often not severe enough to lead to diagnostic testing, you should self-isolate if you’re experiencing any symptoms of a cold - even if your symptoms are mild. Colds are contagious until your symptoms fully resolve and can easily spread in spaces like schools and office buildings through direct contact with a sick person and through the air.
When to Seek Medical Care for Illness Symptoms
In most cases, colds will resolve on their own over time. Despite this, you may still experience pesky cold symptoms for up to 2 weeks. Although cold symptoms can be irritating, they usually don’t worsen over time. If your cold symptoms continue to worsen over time or haven’t resolved within 2 weeks, you should seek medical care. Developing a fever, having a severe sore throat, or coughing up discolored mucus are all signs that you likely have a more serious illness that requires medical treatment. In many cases, severe illnesses can mimic cold symptoms in the first few days. It is important to monitor your symptoms and take action by visiting urgent care if you think that your illness is worsening over time.
Visit AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for Same-Day Illness Symptom Treatment
Colds can cause a variety of frustrating symptoms which can last up to 2 weeks. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a cold, it is important to monitor your symptoms closely to ensure that they aren’t worsening over time. If your symptoms are severe, you may have an illness more serious than a cold.
At AFC Urgent Care North Bergen, our clinic has a full laboratory on-site to provide our patients with rapid diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms and treat it effectively. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic for same-day illness treatment today!
