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USA TODAY

If you didn’t already know by the cacophony of sniffles and coughs in public places, cold season is in full swing.
With mitigation measures from the Covid-19 pandemic having stifled transmission of other respiratory viruses, we are seeing an influx of cases of flu and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, combined with a shortage of over-the-counter pain medication.
If you’re sick, health experts say it’s important to stay at home and rest to allow the body to recover and prevent transmitting the virus to others.
But some cold symptoms can last for weeks. So how do you know when it’s the right time to return to daily activities? Here’s what experts say.

Common cold symptoms
Can you get a fever with a cold?
Experts provide 7 Ayurvedic remedies for your cold, flu and Covid symptoms
Fevers aren’t common with colds but can happen, says Dr Joseph Khabbaza, pulmonary and critical care doctor at the Cleveland Clinic in the US state of Ohio.
Typical cold symptoms include:

a runny or congested nose


cough


sore throat


mild headache


sneezing


How long does a cold last? How long is it contagious?
Cold symptoms can last seven to 10 days and may be most contagious in the first four to five days, says Dr Maria Eugenia Petrini, medical director of the clinically integrated network at Nemours Children’s Health in the US state of Delaware.

Can you catch a cold from cold weather?
“Bundle up or you’ll catch a cold!” It’s an age-old expression parents say to children who refuse to wear their jackets. But a recent study found out they may be right.
Researchers from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts studied nasal samples and found immune mechanisms in the nose worked differently at different temperatures.

At 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the nose successfully blocked viruses from entering the body.
Researchers found that just a 5-degree drop in temperature led to a 50 per cent decrease in immune activity.
“Our study is really focused on prevention, that initial exposure and how to enhance your defences,” says lead author Mansoor Amiji, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Northeastern University.

How to treat a common cold
Unlike bacterial infections, antibiotics don’t have any impact on respiratory viruses. This means the best thing to do is drink lots of fluids and rest as the virus runs its course, Petrini says.
While many people rely on pain relievers to alleviate cold symptoms, a shortage of over-the-counter medication for children in some parts of the world has put some parents in a panic. But health experts say there are ways to treat a cold at home without medications. These include:

Drinking lots of fluids: Yes, that includes chicken noodle soup. Clear liquids – like water – are best, but experts also recommend warm apple juice or lemonade for small children.


Staying comfortable: Wear loose-fitting clothing or take lukewarm showers/baths if you have a fever. Avoid cold baths that could make you shiver and raise your body temperature.


Getting plenty of rest.


What can make a cold worse?
Anything that weakens the body’s immune system could prevent you from getting better faster, health experts say. This includes physical exertion, intense stress, smoking and consuming alcohol.
“You can prolong recovery time if you don’t give yourself the extra time to recover,” Petrini says.

When can you return to daily activities after a cold?
Health experts urge people to stay at home while sick to prevent transmitting the virus in public spaces.
“People think they can continue their routine life. But if you have a cold, you’re going through a viral process that’s contagious,” Petrini says. “Staying at home when you feel sick is the right thing to do for yourself and for others, too.”
After a week or two, it’s OK to start returning to daily activities even if there are still some lingering cold symptoms. But it’s important to heed your body’s limitations.
How to stay healthy during coronavirus outbreak, flu season
If you want to return to the gym, “go back gradually”, Petrini says. “Instead of taking a full class, take a half class, test the waters, see how the body reacts to the exercise and the demand.”
Adults planning to return to the office should follow the advice for children returning to school. “They need to be fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms need to be getting better,” Petrini says. The same goes for adults, if they’re not feeling too fatigued.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


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Wellness

The common cold: quick facts about this virus – its symptoms and how to treat it, especially amid medication shortages

Cold season is upon us, and with a shortage of medications, it’s important to know how to identify and treat a common cold. Keep warm, drink lots of clear fluids – and get plenty of sleep. Photo: Shutterstock

Cold symptoms include a runny or congested nose and sneezing, a sore throat, cough, a headache, and sometimes a fever. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Joseph Khabbaza, a pulmonary and critical care doctor, says fevers with colds are rare but do happen. Photo: Cleveland Clinic

Dressing warmly does help fight off a cold, studies suggest. Photo: Shutterstock 

Dr Maria Petrini is medical director of the Clinically Integrated Network at Nemours Children’s Health. Photo: Nemours Children’s Health

A cold can be quite contagious, so best to stay home if you have one. Photo: Shutterstock

Stay at home, drink warm clear liquids and get plenty of rest if you have a cold. Photo: Shutterstock

Ready to return to fitness classes after getting over a cold? Take it easy at first, and work your way back up to your usual routine. Photo: Shutterstock

How ginger shots, trending on social media, improve well-being, from fighting colds, flu and nausea to boosting immunity

Ginger shots improve your well-being, from fighting the flu and colds to boosting immunity and relieving nausea. Photo: Shutterstock

Ayurvedic expert Bharti Raghav combines her ginger shots with lemon and other herbs.

Ginger shots are full of health-giving properties.

Bharti Raghav drinks a daily ginger shot that includes lemon and herbs.

How to live a longer, healthier life: 6 expert tips and tricks, from being happy and getting enough sleep to exercising more and not stressing out

Experts reveal what six habits you should introduce to your lifestyle to gift yourself a longer, healthier life. Photo: Shutterstock

Eating a diet of mostly plants has been proven to reduce our risk of chronic diseases. Photo: Shutterstock

Veganuary happens in January, and there is no better time to remind ourselves of the benefits of having a plant-based diet. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Anna Herby is the nutrition education programme manager at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in the United States. Photo: Anna Herby

Having regular health check-ups can help flag issues early so you can treat them more easily. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Lily Wong is a family doctor at The London Medical Clinic in Hong Kong. Photo: Lily Wong

Aim to get a minimum of seven to nine hours of quality sleep a night. Photo: Shutterstock

To live a longer and healthier life, learn to de-stress. Yoga, meditation and breathwork all help to ease anxiety. Photo: Shutterstock

This traditional Chinese medicine treatment boosts immunity against winter ills like colds, flu, allergies and respiratory illness

In the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of san fu moxibustion, plasters containing a warm herbal paste are applied to acupressure points, usually on the upper back. Photo: Samuel To

A san fu moxibustion plaster with herbal paste. Photo: Samuel To

TCM practitioner Kelly Chain at her clinic in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Courtesy of Kelly Chain

TCM practitioner Samuel To at his clinic in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

The No 1 piece of advice from experts if you catch a cold? Stay at home and rest to prevent spreading the virus and to allow the body to recover
Pain medications are in short supply, but you can treat a common cold by keeping warm, drinking lots of clear fluids – and getting plenty of sleep


Cold season is upon us and, with a shortage of medications, it’s important to know how to identify and treat a common cold.


Medicine

Disease

5050

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

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Explainer

Explainer | The common cold: quick facts about this virus – its symptoms and how to treat it, especially amid medication shortages

The No 1 piece of advice from experts if you catch a cold? Stay at home and rest to prevent spreading the virus and to allow the body to recover Pain medications are in short supply, but you can treat a common cold by keeping warm, drinking lots of clear fluids – and getting plenty of sleep

Common cold symptoms

The No 1 piece of advice from experts if you catch a cold? Stay at home and rest to prevent spreading the virus and to allow the body to recover

Pain medications are in short supply, but you can treat a common cold by keeping warm, drinking lots of clear fluids – and getting plenty of sleep