Colds: Teen Version

What is a cold?

A cold or upper respiratory infection is an infection of the nose and throat caused by a virus.

Symptoms of a cold include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Usually a fever and sore throat
• Sometimes a cough, hoarseness, red watery eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck

What is the cause?

The cold viruses are spread from one person to another by hand contact, coughing, and sneezing. Colds are not caused by cold air or drafts. Many different viruses cause colds. Most healthy teenagers get at least 3 colds a year.

Many teens have a runny nose in the wintertime when they breathe cold air. This is called vasomotor rhinitis. The nose usually stops running within 15 minutes after you come indoors. It does not need treatment and has nothing to do with cold or an infection.

Chemical rhinitis is a dry stuffy nose that results from using decongestant nose drops or spray too often and too long (longer than 1 week). It will be better a day or two after you stop using the nose drops or spray.

How long will it last?

Usually the fever lasts 2 or 3 days. The sore throat may last 5 days. Nasal discharge and congestion may last up to 2 weeks. A cough may last 3 weeks.

Colds are not serious. Between 5% and 10% of colds develop into some kind of bacterial infection. Watch for signs of bacterial infections such as earaches, yellow discharge from the ear canal, yellow drainage from the eyes, sinus pressure or pain (often means a sinus infection), or rapid breathing (often a sign of pneumonia). Yellow or green nasal secretions are a normal part of the body's reaction to a cold. As an isolated symptom, they do not mean you have a sinus infection. You might have a sinus infection if you have pressure, pain or swelling over a sinus and it doesn't improve with nasal washes.

How can I take care of myself?

Not much can be done to affect how long a cold lasts. However, we can relieve many of the symptoms. Keep in mind that the treatment for a runny nose is quite different from the treatment for a stuffy nose.

• Treatment for a runny nose with a lot of liquid discharge

  Sniffing and swallowing the secretions is probably better than blowing because blowing the nose can force the infection into the ears or sinuses. Nasal discharge is the nose's way of getting rid of viruses. Antihistamines are not helpful unless you have a nasal allergy.

• Treatment for a dry or stuffy nose with only a little discharge or dried, yellow-green mucus

  Most stuffy noses are blocked by dry mucus. Blowing the nose cannot remove most dry secretions.

  Saline nose drops or spray are better than any medicine you can buy for loosening up mucus. Saline nose drops or spray can be bought in any drugstore. No prescription is needed. If you don't have saline, you can use a few drops of bottled water or boiled tap water.

  Use 3 drops of saline in each nostril. Wait 1 minute for the water to loosen the mucus, then blow your nose. You can repeat this several times to clear your nasal passages.

  The main mistakes teens make when they use warm-water nose drops are using only 1 drop of water or saline, not waiting long enough for secretions to loosen up before blowing their nose, and not repeating the procedure until their breathing is easy. The front of the nose can look open while the back of the nose is all gummed up with dried mucus.

  Use the nasal saline at least 4 times a day or whenever you can't breathe through your nose.

• Treatment for other symptoms of colds
  • Fever: Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches or fever over 102°F, or 39°C.
  • Sore throat: Use hard candies and warm chicken broth.
  • Cough: Use cough drops and a humidifier in your bedroom.
  • Red eyes: Rinse frequently with wet cotton balls.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Adequate fluids are needed to prevent dehydration.
• Prevention of colds

  A cold is caused by direct contact with someone who already has a cold. Over the years we are all exposed to many colds and develop some immunity to them. Wash your hands often, especially after coming in contact with someone who has a cold.

  A humidifier prevents dry mucous membranes, which may be more susceptible to infections.

  Vitamin C, unfortunately, has not been shown to prevent or shorten colds. Large doses of vitamin C (for example, 2 grams) cause diarrhea.

• Common mistakes in treating colds

  Most nonprescription cold medicines are not helpful. Especially avoid drugs that have several ingredients because there is a greater chance of side effects from these drugs. Antihistamines do not help cold symptoms. Nothing can make a cold last a shorter time. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a cold only if you also have a fever, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches. Don’t use aspirin.

  Do not take leftover antibiotics for uncomplicated colds because they have no effect on viruses and may be harmful.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• Breathing becomes difficult or rapid.

Call during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• The nose symptoms last more than 14 days.
• Your eyes develop a yellow discharge.
• You have an earache or sinus pain.
• Your sore throat lasts more than 5 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.