Common Cold Symptoms - Part 2 of 3 - Healthination

HOST: So, who's most at risk of catching a cold? It's easier for colds to spread in the winter, fall and even rainy seasons when people spend more time indoors. Children: Their resistance hasn't developed yet, and usually kids aren't too careful about washing hands after close contact with other kids. Adults usually build up resistance, but if you spend a lot of time indoors in close contact with other people, have kids or have allergies that affect your nasal passages, then you might be at higher risk. Stress may also increase your risk for catching a cold. And, here's a bit of myth busting: going outside with wet hair or just getting chilled have never actually been proven to cause a cold. Now, Deciding when to see a doctor can be a tough call when you have a cold. Since there is no cure, the only way to rid yourself of a cold is to wait it out and treat the symptoms. But, if you experience any of the following you may have more than just a cold, and you may need to see your doctor. Feel free to pause here to write these down. Usually a cold peaks in 2-3 days and lasts for about a week. You may even have another week of very mild leftover symptoms. But if you're an adult and have had symptoms for more than a week without improvement, or a fever higher than 102 degrees, aches, fatigue, sweating or cough with colored phlegm, you should see your doctor. In general, children get more sick with a common cold than adults, and often suffer from complications such as ear infections. Your child doesn't need to see the doctor for a routine common cold, but you'll need to seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms: Fever of 103 F or higher, chills or sweating Fever that lasts more than 72 hours Vomiting or abdominal pain Unusual sleepiness Severe headache Difficulty breathing Persistent crying and Ear pain, which may be a sign of an ear infection.