If you didn’t know from the cacophony of sniffles and coughs in public settings – cold season is in full swing.
As COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures have stifled transmission of other respiratory viruses, we are seeing an influx of RSV, flu, and COVID cases, as well as a shortage of over-the-counter pain relievers for children.
If you’re sick, health experts say it’s important to stay home and rest to allow your body to recover and avoid passing the virus on to others.
But some cold symptoms can last for weeks. So how can you know when the time is right to return to daily activities? Here’s what the experts said.
READ THIS: Explaining the early wave of winter illness – and whether it will continue
Common Cold Symptoms: Can You Have a Fever With a Cold?
Fevers are not common with colds, but they can happen, said Dr. Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonologist and intensive care physician at the Cleveland Clinic.
Typical cold symptoms include:
- Runny or congested nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- mild headache
- sneezing
How long does a cold last? How long is it contagious?
Cold symptoms can last for seven to 10 days and can be most contagious in the first four to five days, said Dr. Maria Eugenia Petrini, medical director of Nemours Children’s Health’s clinically integrated network.
Can you catch a cold from cold weather?
“Bundle up or you’ll catch a cold!” It’s the old expression that parents say to their children who refuse to wear winter coats. But a recent study found they might be right.
Northeastern University researchers studied nasal samples and found that the immune mechanisms in the nose worked differently at different temperatures:
- Under normal body heat conditions, the nose has successfully implanted extracellular vesicles that bind and block viruses from entering the body.
- The researchers found that just a 5 degree drop in temperature led to a 50% decrease in immune activity.
“Our study is really focused on prevention, early exposure and how to improve your defenses,” said lead author Mansoor Amiji, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University.
How to treat a common cold
Unlike bacterial infections, antibiotics have no impact on respiratory viruses. That means the best thing to do is drink plenty of fluids and rest while the virus runs its course, Petrini said.
While many Americans rely on pain relievers to alleviate cold symptoms, the shortage of over-the-counter medications for children has some parents in a panic. But health experts say there are ways to treat a cold at home without medication:
- drink lots of fluids: Yes, that includes chicken noodle soup. Clear liquids – like water – are best, but experts also recommend warm apple juice or lemonade for young children.
- Be comfortable: Wear loose clothing or take warm baths/showers if you have a fever. Avoid cold showers, as they can cause chills and increase body temperature.
- Congested? turn on a humidifier
- Get plenty of rest.
What can make a cold worse?
Anything that weakens the body’s immune system can prevent you from getting better, faster, health experts say. This includes physical exertion, intense stress, smoking and alcohol.
“You can prolong recovery if you don’t give yourself extra time to recover,” Petrini said.
When can you return to daily activities after a cold?
Health experts urge people to stay home while sick to prevent transmission of the virus in public spaces.
“People think they can go on with their routine lives. But if you have a cold, you are going through a contagious viral process,” said Petrini. “Staying home when you feel sick is the right thing to do for yourself and others too.”
But after a week or two, it’s okay to start returning to daily activities, even if you still have some lingering cold symptoms. But it’s important to listen to your body’s limitations.
- Gymnasium: “Come back gradually rather than going full steam ahead,” Petrini said. “Instead of doing a whole class, take half a class, test the waters, see how your body reacts to that exercise and demand.”
- Desk: “We always tell kids to go back to school… they need to be fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms need to get better,” said Petrini. The same goes for adults, if they aren’t feeling too tired.
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