It is easy to catch a cold at almost any time of the year. When we get infected with a virus, we do not have to immediately think about antibiotics and run to the doctor. How to avoid and fight a cold? Here are the tips from doctor Marcin Roszkowski from NZOZ "Twój Lekarz" in Ślęza.

Colds are caused by viruses that spread easily between people. People with colds become infected by sneezing, coughing, or transferring viruses from their nose, mouth, and hands to objects. A virus on a doorknob can survive for up to 24 hours. The main symptoms of a cold include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, headaches and muscle aches, coughing, sneezing, and a high fever. What can you do to avoid infection and infect others? Don't share towels, cups, knives, or forks. When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue. Don't reuse it—throw it in the trash. Don't touch your face with your hands—your eyes, mouth, and nose are portals for infection. Air out rooms frequently. Maintain physical fitness and healthy habits.

How to cope on your own?

However, if a cold strikes, there's no need to consult a doctor immediately. Spontaneous improvement usually occurs after a week. Only occasionally does a cold last longer – in a few cases, symptoms can last up to three weeks. We can deal with the virus ourselves. Just remember the basics: rest and sleep, staying warm, drinking plenty of fluids at room temperature, and gargling with salt water. Over-the-counter medications available at pharmacies can alleviate cold symptoms. These medications don't shorten the duration of the illness, but they may provide temporary relief.

When to see a doctor?

If after a week of catching the infection we do not feel any improvement in our well-being and the symptoms are rapidly increasing, we should go to the doctor. In the case of a severe cold, a high fever (temperature above 39 degrees) or no improvement after taking antipyretics is alarming. Difficulty breathing and chest pain are also a reason to visit the doctor. Severe cold symptoms should not be ignored by people with diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or neurological diseases, as well as people with weakened immunity.

Cold or flu?

Remember that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics to treat colds, because they do not eliminate symptoms or speed up recovery. Antibiotics are only effective in bacterial infections. The common cold, on the other hand, is caused by viruses. It appears gradually, mainly affects the nose and throat, makes you feel bad, but eventually you can live with it. On the other hand, flu symptoms develop quickly, the body temperature is high. The symptoms do not only affect the throat and nose. There is often a strong cough. The ailments cause a feeling of exhaustion and the inability to function normally. Remember that the flu vaccine does not work in the case of a cold.