3 Reasons You Should Go to the Doctor for a Cold

Colds are a common illness people usually experience several times per year.

Colds typically go away on their own without treatment. However, you should consider seeing a healthcare provider for a cold if you have more serious symptoms like ear pain, high fever, or difficulty breathing.

If your symptoms last more than 10 days, it’s also best to make an appointment with a healthcare provider.

While cold symptoms can be frustrating at times, they are usually harmless. Rest, home remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can relieve symptoms while you wait out the cold. This at-home treatment is usually all you need to feel better.

However, there are some warning signs that you should visit with a healthcare provider. These warning signs include severe symptoms, prolonged symptoms, and additional concerns like underlying health conditions.

1. You Have Severe Symptoms

Typical cold symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and congestion. You may also feel more tired than usual and have a mild headache. These symptoms are normal and usually improve on their own within a few days.

If these symptoms are severe, you should seek medical attention, especially if you have:

• A severe headache
• Sinus pain (the areas behind the forehead, cheeks, eyes, and nasal bones)
• Ear pain
• Persistent high fever
• Difficulty breathing

Severe symptoms may indicate you have another illness, such as a sinus infection, strep throat, pneumonia, the flu, or COVID-19. Getting tested for these conditions early is important so you can receive treatment and help prevent the spread of more serious illnesses to other people.

2. Your Symptoms Aren’t Going Away

If you feel like your cold is lasting longer than it should, you may need to seek medical attention. The average length of a cold is about 1-2 weeks. If your symptoms worsen over time or have not improved after 10 days, it’s time to see your healthcare provider.

Colds can cause temporary stress in areas like your sinuses and lungs, which can make it easier for bacterial infections to occur. If your symptoms aren’t improving, you may have a secondary bacterial infection and require antibiotics.

3. You Have Other Health Concerns

Your body’s immune system works in high gear when tackling illnesses like a cold, and your heart and lungs may also work harder. People with a weakened immune system or underlying condition may not be able to fight or handle an infection, and they are at an increased risk for complications during illnesses like a cold.

Some people who should be more cautious when they are sick and may need to see a healthcare provider include:

• Older adults
• Young children
• People who are pregnant
• People with underlying conditions like heart disease or lung disease
• People who are undergoing chemotherapy or using other immunosuppressive drugs

When you’re sick, you are also at an increased risk for dehydration, which can make recovery from illness more challenging. You should reach out to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth or skin and dark-colored urine.

In infants or young children, dehydration symptoms include not producing any tears when crying or not having any wet diapers in three hours.

If you are seeking medical care for your cold symptoms, call your primary care provider’s office to see if they have a sick visit appointment available. If no appointments are available, an urgent care center or a health clinic located in some pharmacies might be another option.

The healthcare provider can diagnose your cold based on your symptoms and by looking inside your throat. If they determine you have a cold, they might be able to give you tips for easing symptoms.

There are no medications that work to cure a cold. Some prescription and OTC medications may help ease symptoms or cure secondary bacterial infections, such as:

• Antibiotics for sinus or ear infections
• Inhalers for severe cough or trouble breathing
• Medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), to lower a fever and ease pain
• Decongestants to reduce congestion and runny nose

Home care is important for tackling a cold. There is no cure for a cold, so home remedies support your body while it fights off the infection. Home remedies may also help reduce symptoms so you feel more comfortable. You can try these remedies:

• Use nasal rinses or humidifiers to ease congestion
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Eat honey or use lozenges to ease a sore throat
• Try zinc supplements or lozenges (research is mixed)
• Use OTC medications to help you sleep comfortably

Colds are a common illness that’s usually harmless. With proper rest, hydration, and home remedies, a cold will typically go away on its own within about a week.

However, you should seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe, symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if you have underlying health concerns. Healthcare providers can recommend treatments to ease symptoms or address complications.