3 Cold Symptoms That Should Alert You to See a Doctor Soon

Health & Medical Blog

Many people visit doctors when they have colds, but there are times when seeing a doctor for a cold really is not necessary. However, it can be hard to know when to go to the doctor for this particular health problem. To help you, here are some symptoms that indicate it's a good idea to call in for a visit.

When you have a fever

Suffering from a cold virus can make you feel miserable, but there are times when doctors really cannot help with it. The common cold needs to run its course, and taking medication for it may not help things go any faster. If you have a fever with your other cold symptoms, though, you may want to visit a doctor.

When a fever is present, it means that your body is fighting off a bacterial infection. Such an infection in the body can be treated with antibiotics, and this will make the cold go away faster. Unfortunately, if you do not have a fever, you probably do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics only help with bacterial rather than viral infections.

When you cannot stop vomiting

Vomiting is a common symptom of the flu, and flus and colds often strike at the same time. If you have been vomiting on and off for a few days but are able to keep some fluids in your system, you may not need to see a doctor. On the other hand, if you have been vomiting for four or five hours straight and cannot keep water in your system, you may want to see a doctor.

Vomiting can lead to dehydration if it lasts too long. If you feel really weak and cannot keep anything in your system, you may want to seek help from your doctor.

When you cannot breathe

If you have a stuffy nose, it may be hard for you to breathe, but you should still have the ability to breathe through your mouth if your nose is stuffed up. If you are suffering from a shortness of breath, it may be a good idea to visit a doctor soon.

This could be a sign of a bigger problem, such as pneumonia, and you may need to get antibiotics to cure the problem.

Seeing a doctor for cold symptoms is not always necessary, but it is in some cases. If you are experiencing any of these problems, you may want to visit a general practitioner at an urgent care center today.

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