Illness symptoms can make it difficult to live your life normally. We all know the irritation of having a cold, especially when it seems like the symptoms just won’t go away. But how long is a cold actually supposed to last? Learn what is normal for cold symptoms, and warning signs that you should seek medical care for your illness symptoms.
If you’re in search of fast and reliable medical care for illness symptoms, you can count on AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy. Our clinic is available 7 days a week for rapid illness symptom diagnosis and treatment services. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, our clinic accepts walk-in patients and has short wait times.
Signs You May Have a Cold
Illnesses can present themselves in many different ways. Colds specifically can look different from person to person. Usually, colds are mild in nature. Symptoms usually appear gradually and developing severe symptoms such as a fever or vomiting is unlikely with a cold.
Common symptoms of a cold include:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Post-nasal drip
- Cough
How Long Do Cold Symptoms Typically Last?
Colds are caused by a viral infection. The severity of your symptoms and length of illness depends on what virus is causing your illness. There are hundreds of different viruses that can lead to a cold. This means that cold symptoms, how long they last, and how severe they are can all vary depending on the exact virus that you have contracted. Similarly, age and any underlying health conditions can greatly impact how your body handles the infection.
In most cases, colds resolve on their own within a week. In some cases, cold symptoms such as a cough or congestion can linger longer than other symptoms. However, if your symptoms do not improve or get worse after a week, you should seek medical care. Cold symptoms are typically mild, however, colds can lead to secondary infections such as sinus infections.
Tips for Getting Rid of Stubborn Cold Symptoms
If you’re experiencing cold symptoms, they will typically resolve on their own within a few days. Even though cold symptoms tend to be mild, they can still make you feel tired and sick, which can make it difficult to complete daily tasks. Viral infections do not respond to prescription medication treatments such as antibiotics, so your body must fight off the infection on its own over time. You can use these tips to manage your symptoms and promote a fast recovery:
- Get plenty of rest
- Stay hydrated
- Use a humidifier to fight congestion & sore throat symptoms
- Use OTC medications to manage symptoms
- Stay away from others - you’re contagious!
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy for Rapid Illness Diagnosis & Treatment Today
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a cold, it is important to monitor your symptoms to ensure that they are not continuing to worsen over time. If you need rapid illness symptom diagnosis and treatment, the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Perth Amboy offers same-day illness care services with no appointment needed. Just walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
Our clinic is conveniently located and open 7 days a week with extended business hours. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options for patients paying directly for their medical care. Our medical providers are board-certified and able to provide fast and convenient illness care for the whole family. Walk into the clinic today.
