Upper Respiratory Infections
Signs and Symptoms
The following symptoms usually last from 3 to 7 days, and are indicative of a URI:
Prevention
- frequent hand washing
- avoid sharing food and drink with others
- maintain a healthy immune system:
- get plenty of sleep
- eat a well-balanced diet
- get plenty of exercise
- find out if Vitamin C supplements aid cold prevention for you
Self-Care for URIs
- get lots of rest, especially when running a fever
- drink lots of fluids, hot or cold
- this helps to break up accumulated secretions, and may help to prevent further complications such as bronchitis and fever
- take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve aches, pains and fever
- soothe sore throat with frequent salt water gargles and sucking on cough lozenges
- breathe air from COOL mist vaporizers to keep mucous membranes moist and to help quiet coughing
- chicken soup! — it really helps: it aids the clearing of mucous from the throat and esophagus, and the broth may contain a substance that inhibits the common cold virus
- hot, steamy showers keep mucous membranes moist and open up a congested head
- antihistamines or decongestants may help to provide symptomatic relief, and can be obtained at the health center
- antibiotics will not be helpful, though, since a URI is caused by a viral infection rather than a bacterial infection
Go to the Health Center or your doctor if:
- cold symptoms are accompanied by rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, extreme fatigue, unusual irritability or delirium
- there is pain, tenderness and/or swelling over facial sinuses that worsens when bending over or changing head position
- a more than mild earache exists
- neck glands are very enlarged and tender
- coughing is producing yellow/green sputum (spit)
- coughing lasts longer than 10 days
- fever of 103°F, especially when combined with any of the above symptoms
- the throat, nose, or ears emit a foul odor
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