It is that time of year again, the cold season is back. When is it important to ask the doctor for advice? This is a question that seems to be on everybody's mind. First of all, we need to make sure that it is the common cold that you have. Lets walk through the symptoms that everyone seem to have 2-3 times a year. The symptoms can range from runny nose, congestion, sneezing, itchy throat, and last but not least, that nasty cough that can be both productive and non productive.



A cold is minor infections in the nose or throat caused by several viruses. A cold may last for about a week but there is always a chance that the cold could last longer. If ever in doubt, ask the doctor, especially when dealing with children and the elderly since they seem to be at higher risk for a longer cold, and of course if you already have poor health. It is a well known fact that in the United States, the most common visit to the doctors is in regards to a cold.

What happens however if a cold lasts longer than a week? Sometimes, the common cold can turn into a bronchial infection, and in some severe cases, pneumonia. If you are not sure that you have either of these issues, ask the doctor to check you out. But until then, here is a brief explanation of both. A bronchial infection is an infection in the tubes that carry air to your lungs. Some of the symptoms that accompany a bronchial infection are shortness of breath, and wheezing. Also, another sure symptom can include a mild fever. Pneumonia on the other hand is an infection in one or both of you lungs. The symptoms are similar to that of a bronchial infection, and a common cold, except with pneumonia, the fever can be much higher. Because of these two major illnesses, and other like them, it is always important to ask the doctor what to do next.

However, if you present with none of these harsher symptoms, then there are many ways to help you with your cold. Although no antibiotics or any other hardcore drug has been found yet to clear the cold up out of our lives, there are many remedies available, besides rest and fluids, to make dealing with it easier, and help get rid of it quicker. Some of these include over the counter medications. But before using aspirin, ibuprofen, or any other non steroidal anti inflammatory drug, ask the doctor for advice.

These drugs have shown to make it harder to breathe when taken for a cold. This is very evident with people that suffer from asthma or peptic ulcers. Further, aspirin

should not be given to children under 18 years old. This can play a role in causing Reye's syndrome. Remember, complications to the common cold can be harsh, so if it gets worse, or you present any of the symptoms above, ask a doctor.