What is Cold and flu

What is Cold and flu?

Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose—everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known.

Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.

Symptoms of Cold and flu

Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include:

• Mucus buildup in your nose

• Difficulty breathing through your nose

• Swelling of your sinuses

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Headache

Fever is usually slight but can climb to 102 degrees Fahrenheit in infants and young children. Cold symptoms can last from 2 to 14 days, but like most people, you’ll probably recover in a week. If symptoms recur often or last much longer than 2 weeks, you might have an allergy rather than a cold.

Treatment of Cold and flu

There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by:

• Resting in bed.

• Drinking plenty of fluids.

• Gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat.

• Using petroleum jelly for a raw nose.

• Taking aspirin or acetaminophen—Tylenol, for example—for headache or fever.