Open a PDF version to print this topic

HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini

Colds in adults

Wharowharo ki ngā pakeke

FDP MalaiseColds are annoying. On average, adults suffer from two to four colds a year. Symptoms tend to peak after two to three days but the cough that comes with a cold can last for three to four weeks.

Colds are caused by viruses infecting your upper airways (nose, sinuses, mouth, throat and voice box). They aren't caused by bacteria so antibiotics will not treat a cold.

If you have a cold, you'll have some or all of these symptoms:

Avoiding getting colds

Unlike influenza (flu), there is no vaccination for colds because they're caused by many different viruses.

You can avoid colds by washing your hands before eating or preparing food and not sharing cups, drink bottles, knives and forks or anything you eat or drink with. Also, wash your hands after you've touched your face.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your arm (but not your hand) when you sneeze or cough, then wash your hands afterwards.

Keeping your home warm and dry and being smokefree also help to stop you and your family from getting colds. Getting enough sleep and eating well can also reduce the number of colds you get and how bad they are.

Treating colds

Most people get over a cold within one to two weeks, but the cough that goes with a cold can last up to four weeks. The image below shows how long cold symptoms can last – a cough and runny nose can continue past two weeks without being a serious problem.

cold-symptomsWhile your immune system is fighting the cold, any mucus you're coughing up may go from white or clear to yellow or pale green. This is normal. As long as it's just a small amount and you do not have any other chest symptoms, you do not need antibiotics.

There are no treatments that will make a cold go away more quickly. But your immune system should fight it off within one or two weeks.

Antibiotics will not treat a cold and may cause side effects such as diarrhoea (the runs), thrush and tummy aches. Taking antibiotics when you do not need them makes it more likely you'll later develop a bacterial infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics. It could then be very hard to find an antibiotic that works for you.

Self-care with colds

There are lots of cold and flu medications available over the counter. Read the labels carefully because they're often expensive versions of simple pain relievers or decongestants. Speak to a pharmacist if you aren't sure what to take or if you're taking other medication, especially if you have any other health condition or are pregnant, as it may be best that you do not take these medications.

Next steps

Most colds get better within one to two weeks. But you should see a doctor if you:

Important

Seek medical help immediately if you have any symptoms of meningitis.

  HealthInfo recommends the following videos

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2022.

Sources

See also:

Acute bronchitis

Colds in children

Eating and drinking when you are unwell

Influenza (flu)

Page reference: 150985

Review key: HICLD-59367