Coming down with the common cold is something you will probably have to face sooner or later. Caused by a virus, a cold can infect anyone at any time. Colds are most prevalent during the late fall and winter. Sometimes, people can catch them in the spring and more rarely in the summer. Still, no matter when someone gets a cold, it is possible to treat the symptoms and feel well faster. Taking antibiotics, however, is not an option.
Colds are more likely to hit young children than any other group. Kids under age 2 will usually get between six and 12 colds a year. Adults can expect to battle a cold two to four times each year. The virus that causes a cold will pass in close contact through touch or from coughing and sneezing. Colds will typically stay in a person’s system for seven to 10 days. Longer bouts with a cold are less common but possible.
Along with sneezing and coughing, a runny and stuffy nose will ordinarily come with a cold. A person with a cold will typically have a sore throat too, which can make swallowing painful. Body aches and chills are also potential symptoms. A person may also have a slight fever along with a headache.
Antibiotics are medications that doctors use to treat bacterial illnesses. Antibiotics can also stop bacteria from growing in the body. These are antimicrobial medicines that kill the infections that cause many types of conditions. These include ear infections, skin infections, strep throat, dental infections, and meningitis.
Be aware that antibiotics cannot treat the common cold. Antibiotics are solely for bacterial infections, not those of the viral variety. This means that such medications will be useless against the cold, along with the flu, coughs, and a sore throat. In fact, taking antibiotics for a cold can have detrimental effects. Using these medicines unnecessarily can make a person immune to them. So when a person truly does need an antibiotic, it may not be effective.
Not only should a person not take antibiotics for the common cold, but there are side effects to using these medications. Vomiting and nausea are possible effects of antibiotics. A person may also have diarrhea, abdominal pain, or indigestion. It is also possible for a person to have a loss of appetite after taking this medicine. Less common side effects are wheezing, a tight throat, or trouble breathing. If any of these side effects occur, the person should get to an urgent care facility for treatment.
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You have probably heard how effective antibiotics can be in treating infections. But these are only for bacterial infections. Because viruses cause the common cold, these medicines are not successful in getting rid of cold symptoms. Instead, let the cold pass with time. You can also take over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. Plenty of rest and fluids will also help you to get well faster.
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