Colds

Symptoms may include:

• scratchy or sore throat
• a cough
• sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
• watery eyes
• blocked ears
• a fever (temperature of 38°C or higher)
• tiredness and headache.
  

You usually start having cold symptoms 1 to 3 days after contact with a cold virus. The cold can spread to others even before any symptoms appear.

The best way to treat a cold is to rest and drink plenty of fluid, such as water. You can also gargle salt water, sip lemon drinks or inhale steam. However, there are potential risks associated with carrying around and breathing in steam from boiling water. It's better to sit in the bathroom (outside the shower) with the shower running hot water to create steam. Read more about steam inhalation and other ways to manage a blocked nose.  

There are no medicines that cure a cold. Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics won't help, as they kill bacteria not viruses. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them is bad for you and causes antibiotic resistance. However, you may feel better with medicines such as painkillers, nose drops or sprays, throat lozenges and decongestants. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions before taking medicines to help with the symptoms of cold.

The image below shows about how long cold symptoms have been found to last in children.

Image credit: Antibiotic Conservation Aotearoa

You won't need to see a healthcare provider if you have a cold, unless you have the following symptoms:

• an earache that gets more painful
• wheezing, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• swollen, tender glands in your neck
• chest pain
• skin rash
• a sore throat that gets more painful, or has white or yellow spots
• a cough that gets worse or becomes painful.
• a high temperature of 39°C or above
• shaking chills
• a headache that lasts several days.

If your lips, skin or nails look blue, or you’re feeling confused, it's important to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible

Image credit: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Regular hand washing is likely to be the best way to avoid catching a cold. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap followed by 20 seconds of drying,

Other things you can do include:

• Avoid close contact with people who have a cold
• Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth
• Eat a healthy diet
• Get plenty of rest
• Quit smoking 
• Be physically active.

There is some limited evidence that probiotics, vitamin C and zinc may also help prevent colds.

It’s important not to spread your cold virus to other people. You can do this by:

• turning away from others and using tissues when you cough or sneeze
• washing your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• washing your hands often and especially before touching food, dishes, glasses and cutlery
• using paper towels in bathrooms
• not letting your nose or mouth touch public telephones or drinking fountains.
• not sharing food or eating utensils with others
• avoiding close contact with others for the first 2 to 4 days.
  
  

Image Credit: Healthify He Puna Waiora

Navigating uncertainty – managing respiratory tract infections(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2019
Cold season in primary care(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2013

Video: Colds and runny nose

(Antibiotic Conservation Aotearoa, 2023)(external link)