Can you get a fever with a cold?
When cold season strikes – and it always does – symptoms like sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, a runny nose and scratchy throat set in. But if your cold symptoms include a higher temperature, you may be wondering – is a fever a normal cold symptom?
Is it normal to spike a fever with a cold?
While a fever isn’t a common cold symptom, everyone’s immune systems are different, and some people may spike a low-grade fever (99.6°F – 100.3°F) as a cold settles in. Although fevers tend to get a bad rap, they’re actually a good sign – a fever means your immune system is healthy and working to fight off the virus that’s causing your cold.
How to fight a cold
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults typically experience two to three colds a year, and kids get even more. If you feel a cold coming on, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water and give your body time to heal. Also, eat nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest foods to help support your immune system so it can do its job. You can also manage cold symptoms with the right mix of over-the-counter meds.
Ways to relieve cold symptoms
- Soothe soreness - Take ibuprofen and use throat lozenges to quiet sore throat pain
- Turn down the heat - Reduce a fever by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Clear your head - Use decongestants and nasal sprays to clear sinus and nasal congestion
- Calm coughs - Thin mucus and promote drainage by taking an expectorant like Mucinex (guaifenesin) and, if needed, a cough suppressant at night
How long does a fever with a cold last?
Colds rarely involve a fever higher than 101°F, and fevers associated with colds typically subside within a few days. But colds can lead to other conditions that can spike a fever, including bronchitis and sinus infections. And these types of conditions require different treatments that may include antibiotics to fight off a bacterial infection.
A fever can also be a common sign of COVID-19, the seasonal flu and other common respiratory viruses. That’s why it’s important to keep track of your symptoms, especially if you notice they’re getting worse.
“To reduce the chances of infection and severe illness, make sure you’re up to date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.”
Online treatment for colds
When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is make an unnecessary trip to a clinic. Virtuwell’s online clinic is a fast, easy and affordable way to get the answers and treatment you need to feel better, faster – all without leaving home.
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