Managing your Cold
STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET
Symptoms:
Scratchy or sore throat
Sneezing
Stuffy nose
Nasal discharge
Tearing (watery eyes)
Full feeling in the ears Achiness
General “tired” feeling
Cough, dry or with clear or white mucus
Symptoms usually last about a week, although they can last as long as
two weeks.
What to do:
- Get plenty of rest - your body needs time to recover.
- Gargle with salt water – one teaspoon in a large glass of warm
water every four hours. This helps to reduce the swelling in your throat.
- Drink large quantities of liquids - particularly hot liquids may soothe
the throat and help loosen secretions, relieving nasal congestion. Avoid
caffeine and alcoholic beverages, as they will dehydrate you.
- Over the counter medicines may be used to help relieve the symptoms
that you are experiencing:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help ease the achiness and will
help to reduce your fever.
- A decongestant such as pseudoephedrine may help relieve congestion
– used during the day, as it does not cause drowsiness.
- A mild antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine may help relieve
a runny nose – may cause drowsiness so may be recommended
for night use.
- Cough syrups – either plain Robitussin (guaifenesin) or
with a cough suppressant (guaifenesin with dextromethorphan) will
help to loosen your chest congestion and suppress your cough.
- Take a warm (steamy) shower – inhaling warm, moist air may soothe
inflamed
mucous membranes. Using a cool-mist humidifier may also help.
- Use disposable tissues and dispose of properly – do not leave
used tissues laying
around for someone else to pick up. Reduces the risk of infecting others.
- Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea (an herb) – used as directed may
also be helpful in
minimizing and improving the symptoms of your cold.
What not to do:
- Don’t smoke – smoking will further irritate your nasal
passages and increase your
risk of getting bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Don’t treat your cold with an antibiotic – colds are
viral infections and antibiotics
are not effective in treating viral infections.
Ways to help prevent getting a cold:
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Contrary
to popular opinion, colds are more commonly spread hand to hand. If
you shake, touch, or hold the hand of an infected person, or even touch
a phone or a doorknob that has recently been touched by a person with
a cold and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth you may infect yourself
with the virus.
- Eat a well balanced diet.
- Avoid prolonged contact with people who have colds.
- Try to keep your stress level low – though this may be difficult.
When to seek Medical Attention:
- 1. If your cold lasts longer than a week with your symptoms worsening
or not
improving.
- Discolored or bloody mucus from your nasal passages.
- Fever (greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit) lasting more than two
days not relieved with acetaminophen or ibuprofen and shaking chills.
- Painful breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath.
- Severe headache or stiff neck.
- Painful swelling of the neck glands.
- Difficulty swallowing/managing your own saliva.
- An extremely red throat and white patches on the throat or tonsils.
- Personal history of rheumatic fever, heart disease, kidney disease,
lung disease,
or other chronic illness.
Making a medical appointment at Smith Health Services:
If you have any of the above symptoms, or otherwise feel you need to
see a clinician, call the appointment desk at
X2823 weekdays 8:30am- 5.p.m. For urgent care after hours - call
X2813 to reach the Nurses’ station.
If you're not sure you need a appointment:*
Smith students are welcome to call the Nurses' Station 24 hours a day
at X2813 (while the college is in session)
- to ask questions about symptoms, get advice, or discuss whether or not
they should see a clinician.
SCHS: EML – 1/01
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