Common cold and cough: home care and when to see a doctor

Health & Wellness · 6 min read

A blocked nose, a scratchy throat and a cough that wakes you at night are some of the most common reasons people feel miserable for a week. Most colds clear up on their own, and good home care makes the days easier. It is just as useful to know which symptoms are not ordinary and need medical attention.

What is actually happening

The common cold is caused by viruses, most often rhinoviruses, which infect the lining of the nose and throat. Because it is viral, antibiotics do not help. Symptoms usually peak around days two to three and ease over seven to ten days, though a cough can linger for two to three weeks as the airways heal. Sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, mild fatigue and a low fever are typical. Flu, by contrast, tends to hit harder and faster, with high fever, body ache and strong exhaustion.

Rest and fluids come first

Your body fights infection better when it is rested. Sleep more than usual, and stay home if you can, partly to recover and partly to avoid passing the virus to others. Drink plenty of fluids: water, clear soups, dal water, coconut water and warm herbal drinks all count. Fluids thin mucus and prevent dehydration, which is easy to miss if you have a fever or are sweating. Pale yellow urine is a simple sign you are drinking enough.

Soothing a sore throat

• Warm salt-water gargles: about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, several times a day, can ease swelling and discomfort.
• Warm drinks with honey: a spoon of honey in warm water, with lemon or ginger, coats the throat. Do not give honey to children under one year of age.
• Turmeric milk or a ginger-tulsi kadha: these are traditional comfort drinks, and while research on their medical effects is limited, the warmth itself helps.
• Lozenges: useful for adults and older children, but not for small kids because of choking risk.

Clearing a blocked nose

Steam inhalation from a bowl of hot water is a popular remedy, but be careful: very hot water can scald, and children should never be given hot steam inhalation unsupervised. A warm shower is a safer way to get similar relief. Saline nasal sprays or drops, available at pharmacies, are a gentle choice for adults and children. Sleeping with your head slightly raised on an extra pillow helps mucus drain and eases night congestion.

Handling the cough

Coughs come in two main types, and the approach differs:

Type	Feels like	What helps at home
Dry cough	Tickly, no phlegm	Warm fluids, honey, humid air, avoiding smoke and dust
Wet or chesty cough	Phlegm or mucus	Fluids, rest, warm steam from a shower; let the cough clear the mucus rather than suppressing it

Avoid smoke, strong perfumes and incense, which irritate the airways. Over-the-counter cough syrups are not suitable for young children, and doctors in India and elsewhere generally advise against giving them to children under about four to six years. Check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

Medicines: use with care

Paracetamol can bring down fever and ease aches when used at the dose on the label. Many combination cold tablets contain paracetamol too, so check ingredients to avoid taking it twice. Do not combine medicines without reading labels, and avoid giving aspirin to children and teenagers. People with high blood pressure, heart problems, pregnancy or other conditions should ask a doctor before using decongestants.

Tip: Wash hands often, cover coughs with your elbow and use a separate towel while ill. Colds spread mainly through droplets and touched surfaces.

When to see a doctor

Most colds are harmless, but get medical help promptly if you or your child have any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, fast breathing or chest pain
• A fever above about 39 degrees Celsius (102 F), or a fever lasting more than three days
• Symptoms lasting longer than ten days without improvement, or getting worse after initially improving
• A cough lasting more than three weeks, or coughing up blood
• Severe sore throat with difficulty swallowing, or white patches in the throat
• Ear pain, facial pain or green-yellow discharge along with fever
• Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine, dry mouth or unusual drowsiness

Babies under three months with a fever, people over 65, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease should be seen sooner rather than later. In India, a persistent cough of more than two to three weeks, especially with weight loss or night sweats, should also be checked for tuberculosis.

Final thoughts

For a typical cold, rest, fluids, warm drinks and patience do most of the work. Treat the symptoms that bother you and avoid unnecessary antibiotics. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice, so if something feels wrong or you are unsure, speak to a doctor.