The Sick Season
It’s that time of year for coughs and sneezing, runny noses and wheezing. But where do you go for relief? Do you reach for the medicine cabinet or do you reach or your physician’s phone number? The following chart can help you decide. (It is not intended to take the place of a health-care professional.)
Symptom: Tickly or scratchy throat How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Common cold Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Runny nose How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Common cold Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Sneezing, watery eyes How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Common cold Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Sneezing, watery eyes How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Common cold Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Minor headaches How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Cold or virus Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Minor aches and pains How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Cold or virus Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Tiredness, early fatigue How Long: Less than a week Could mean..: Cold or virus Should you call your doctor?: Probably not *
Symptom: Sore or inflamed throat How Long: At all, recently Could mean..: Strep throat Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Difficulty, pain swallowing How Long: At all, recently Could mean..: Strep throat Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Pus in throat How Long: At all, recently Could mean..: Strep throat Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Swollen glands in neck How Long: At all, recently Could mean..: Strep throat Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Fever of 100-plus degrees How Long: Persistent Could mean..: Bacterial infection Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Extreme listlessness How Long: Persistent Could mean..: Bacterial infection Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Severe headache How Long: More than 24 hours Could mean..: Bacterial infection Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Tenderness over sinuses How Long: Recent Could mean..: Sinusitis Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Coughing/wheezing How Long: Persistent Could mean..: Bronchitis Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Fever/cough with chest pain How Long: At all Could mean..: Bronchitis/Pneumonia Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Shaking, chills and high fever How Long: At all Could mean..: Bronchitis/Pneumonia/Bactenemia Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Yellow or green phlegm How Long: At all Could mean..: Bronchitis/Pneumonia Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Brown or rust-colored phlegm How Long: At all Could mean..: Bronchitis/Pneumonia Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Wheezing/breathlessness How Long: Persistent Could mean..: Bronchitis/Pneumonia Should you call your doctor?: Yes *
Symptom: Chest pain increased with breathing How Long: At all Could mean..: Pneumonia Should you call your doctor?: Yes
Source: “Is It More Than a Common Cold?” a brochure by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Call (800) 742-1555 for a free copy.