Have you had your first cold of the season? Our entire family was sick this week. No question about it—cold season is here. But, if you are like me and you call your doctor to get something stronger than over the counter meds because you “can’t afford to be sick,” (it’s the line I used) don’t be surprised if the receptionist tells you that you are better off at home. It happened to me and apparently, I’m not alone.
Some physicians don’t want cold sufferers to rush into their offices with a cold that can be cured at home. In fact, a nurse told me that most people are able to knock the virus out from home. I also finally found the answer to a nagging seasonal question: “Does transitioning from warm temperatures inside to cold temperatures outside make you more vulnerable to a cold?” The nurse I spoke to confirmed that the temperature contrast does affect the immune system, but you are not likely to catch a cold just from being outdoors for a long period of time.
Which brings me to my next question: “What is a true cold?” According to the nurse, some red-flag symptoms of a cold include nasal congestion, coughing, stuffy head, runny nose and achy muscles. If you have these symptoms, doctors and nurses say try treating yourself at home first before coming in to see them. And the reason why may surprise you. It’s not because they don’t want to “waste” time on a patient with a mild case of the common cold; they prefer you stay away because you’re coming into a health-care environment where there are sicker people who would be at greater risk if exposed to the common cold.
I was told to take over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen (personally, I was looking for something a bit stronger that would help me recover faster) along with old-fashioned remedies like chicken noodle soup and juice. Also, doctors say isolate yourself, rest (tough when you are a mom with young children), and wash your hands frequently. Doctors say the typical cold lasts for a few days. If your symptoms don’t improve in that time, then schedule an appointment.
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