Runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and coughing are some of the basic symptoms of a common cold. However, do you know these symptoms can turn serious if not identified on time?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, If your symptoms linger longer than 10 days, you may have something more serious, such as the flu. Following are the signs that indicate the common cold is more serious.
High Body Temperature
If you have a body temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you may have strep throat. Most strep throat patients will get a high fever in the first few days of sickness, so be aware of abrupt temperature rises.
Stomach Problems
Having nausea with a cold, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea, is unusual, so these symptoms could indicate something more serious, such as the flu.
If you have these symptoms on a regular basis, you should seek medical assistance since they might induce dehydration.
Also read: Common Cold Vs Acute Sinusitis: Know The Difference Between Them From An Expert
Chest Pain Or Difficulty Breathing
While coughing is a common cold symptom, it should not cause shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest pain. These symptoms should not be ignored because difficulty in breathing could indicate bronchitis or pneumonia.
Simultaneously, chest pain and abrupt shortness of breath may indicate a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot obstruction in the lungs).
Symptoms Localisation
Another warning sign it's more than a cold is the "localisation" of symptoms, which means you only feel them in one location.
Sinus infections can cause headaches and even tooth pain, ear infections typically cause discomfort and congestion in one ear, and can result in swollen tonsils.
Body Aches
A common cold should not cause all-over body aches and discomfort. The flu, on the other hand, can cause aches and pains in your muscles and body and weariness and chills.
Also read: Get Instant Relief In Common Cold With These 3 Soups
Tightness In The Chest
Tightness in the chest is a warning sign of a more serious respiratory infection, such as bronchitis. This can also make it difficult to take deep breaths. Sharp chest discomfort that worsens as you cough might be a sign of pneumonia, and chest tightness is a typical asthma symptom. If you are experiencing chest pain or pressure, seek medical attention immediately. It can also be an indication of potentially fatal diseases such as a heart attack or a blood clot in the lung.
Pressure In The Ears, Face, Or Eyes
If you experience ear pressure, you may have a sinus infection. This produces pain and pressure around your eyes, cheekbones, or forehead, which worsens when you lean over. If you have fullness in one ear, this could be a sign of an ear infection.
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