About Common Cold
The common cold is a frequent respiratory illness that can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sore throat and cough.
Symptoms can vary between people and may overlap with other respiratory illnesses.
General care
Rest, appropriate fluids and measures that improve comfort can be useful. Medicines should be used according to appropriate instructions.
Watch the pattern
Pay attention to symptom duration, worsening symptoms, breathing problems and other changes. When to seek advice Seek professional care for severe, persistent or worsening symptoms or difficulty breathing.
What should you consider?
- How long the symptom or concern has been present.
- How severe or disruptive it is.
- Whether it is improving, stable or getting worse.
- Whether other symptoms are occurring at the same time.
- Age, medications, existing health conditions and individual circumstances.
When should you seek professional advice?
Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional when a health concern is persistent, worsening, severe, unusual or interfering with normal daily activities. Urgent or life-threatening symptoms require appropriate emergency medical care.