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How Long Are You Contagious If You Have A Cold? Expert Answers
It's October, almost the end of the hot and humid summer, and if you look around, you'll already start noticing many experiencing and struggling with stuffy nose, scratchy or sore throat, constant sneezing, and watery eyes. Seasonal changes are one of the most common triggers of common cold and flu. They do not directly cause the conditions, but support an environment where the viruses and bacteria thrive.
Developing a cold may not be dangerous, but the symptoms can be quite distressing and may last a few days or a week. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Anantha Padmanabha, Consultant-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, discusses its incubation period and the time period for which you can be contagious.
Also Read: How To Know If Your Child Suffers From Common Cold Or Respiratory Syncytial Virus?
What Is The Incubation Period For Cold?The incubation period is the time from infection or exposure to the virus or bacteria to the onset of symptoms. If you're infected with a cold, the incubation period could be anywhere between 1-3 days, says Dr Padmanabha.
Some of the common symptoms of a cold include:
Most of these symptoms can also seem similar to a flu or a COVID-19 infection. As far as cold and flu infection go, some of the differentiating factors, according to Dr Padmanabha, include:
Difference between a cold and COVID-19 infection include:
If you're infected with a cold, you can be contagious for about 1-2 days before symptoms appear and up to 5-7 days after symptoms start.
According to Dr Padmanabha, the most contagious period is usually in the first 2-3 days. Cold symptoms peak at 1-3 days, which is when you're the most contagious. It is important to self-isolate from other healthy individuals to avoid the spread of the virus.
Also Read: Signs That Indicate Common Cold Is More Serious
Precautions To TakeSome of the necessary precautions to take against infectious diseases include:
With Winter nearly at our doorstep, it is important to raise our guards against the pathogens that attack our immune system. Changing seasons often give rise to infectious illnesses, which is why taking precautionary measures are necessary. If you're already under the weather, ensure that you avoid contact with others, especially the elderly and young children. Wear face masks if you go outside and follow proper hand hygiene, particularly if you come in contact with frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Acute Symptoms During Summer Cold Season
LOS ANGELESA sore throat in the summer is the worst.
Internal medicine specialist Dr. Thirumala Raju says viruses can enter the body more easily when it's hot.
"Because of the blood vessels dilating because of heat ... As a result, some of the viruses can enter your system," said Raju.
And many people mistake summer viral infections for allergies.
"If you have nasal congestion with slight fatigue or headache, it is not an allergy. It's a cold," said Raju.
A summer cold can hit any time between June and October. They only occur about 25 percent as often as the winter variety. But they can be more severe and make you feel more tired.
"The fatigue is extremely intense during the summer months," said Raju.
And don't beg your doctor for antibiotics. Dr. Raju says a viral infection can only be treated with rest and fluids, but ibuprofen and nasal rinsing can help.
"It makes your symptoms feel a little better because most of the congestion ... When you push saline, it kind of decreases the swelling, and so you feel the headache and the pressure slightly relieve," said Raju.
She also recommends deep breathing, meditation and yoga to prevent a cold from lingering.
"It increases air flow, blows your viruses out which have come in," said Raju.
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Cold Symptoms
Normal common cold symptoms can be confusing at times because they are common to allergies. The most common differentiator between common cold and allergies is that the former is contagious, while the later isn't. Some common cold symptoms like fever and body ache are, however, rarely found in allergies. Other manifestations of cough and cold include sore throat, runny nose itchy and watery eyes. These can last from 3-14 days after the cold virus affects you, while it may take some time for them to appear. The symptoms of common cold aren't much to worry about. However, you should call the doctor if there's pain in the ears, nose and eyes for a period over one week. For a child under age 2, a paediatrician should be consulted if the symptoms last for more than three days. In case of adults symptom duration of more than two weeks is a cause of concern. Consult your doctor if you find associated signs like shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, pain or pressure around your belly and chest and sensitivity to light. Expecting and breastfeeding moms should also inform their doctor if they experience common cold symptoms. 7 Ways to Protect Your Baby From Cold and FluA common cold is a viral infection that affects the baby's nose and throat. Some of the major complications that a common cold may bring in babies are -- nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Ayurvedic Remedies For Summer Cold, Watch VideoHome Remedies for Summer Cold: Stay Hydrated, drinking an adequate amount of water is very crucial for health, Consumption of Herbal Drinks, when you are suffering from summer cold you should opt for herbal drinks, take adequate rest.
7 Ways to Protect Your Baby From Cold and FluA common cold is a viral infection that affects the baby's nose and throat. Some of the major complications that a common cold may bring in babies are -- nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Ayurvedic Remedies For Summer Cold, Watch VideoHome Remedies for Summer Cold: Stay Hydrated, drinking an adequate amount of water is very crucial for health, Consumption of Herbal Drinks, when you are suffering from summer cold you should opt for herbal drinks, take adequate rest.
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