Colds

Key points about colds

A cold is a viral infection that affects your head and chest, including your nose, throat, sinuses and ears. It's not the same as influenza (the flu).
Cold symptoms develop slowly and usually last 1 to 2 weeks.
Because a cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help (they kill bacteria, not viruses). However, there are things you can do to feel better.
For most people, a cold won't lead to any more serious illness.
You can treat most colds with rest and drinking lots of fluids such as water, but know when to see a healthcare provider.

If you have respiratory symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, head cold or loss of smell, with or without fever, get a test for COVID-19.

Don't assume it's just a cold. If you're wanting to buy cold and flu medicines from your pharmacy don't go in if you've tested positive for COVID, or think you might have it.

Read more about COVID-19.

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.