Cold Symptoms: When To Speak To A Doctor Online

It’s officially winter! And while it may be time to bring out the warm coats and woolly sweaters, hot chocolate and hearty soups, the colder months also bring with them the dreaded runny noses, congestion, headaches and sore throats associated with the common colds. While most people experience mild to moderate symptoms, every once in a while, you might feel the need to speak to a doctor online. But how do you know when is the right time to see a GP?

Breathing troubles

While it is normal to have a scratchy throat as a result of your cold, having difficulty breathing or severe chest pain isn’t. These symptoms might be signs of other underlying diseases, such as asthma, pneumonia or heart disease.

Trouble keeping things down

One of the most common ways to relieve cold symptoms includes drinking lots of fluids. But if you’re vomiting out everything you eat or drink, you are going to end up dehydrated,which might make your symptoms worse. Stomach pain and vomiting might actually also be a sign of some other infection.

High fever

Colds usually do not come with fevers. However, a mild fever may occur, which usually subsides on its own within 48 hours, and is rarely of a very high intensity. If your fever improves initially but then suddenly gets worse, or if it persists for longer than 48 hours, it might be a good idea to speak to an online doctor.

Intense headaches

Most colds come with either a runny nose or congestion, the latter of which can end up blocking your sinuses and nasal passages and giving you headaches. However, if your headache is severe and feels to be spreading behind your eyes and over the forehead, your cold might actually be a flu.

Persistent cough

It is very common for a cold to be accompanied by coughs. However, if your cough seems to be getting worse with time instead of getting better, brings with it bloody mucus or shortness of breath,or you seem to feel weak everytime you cough, you might need to urgently consult an online doctor.

Congestion

It is very common to have some degree of congestion in your chest when you have a cold. But if your cold has lasted for more than 10 days, you might be at risk of developing sinusitis, pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Additionally, if your symptoms do not subside even three weeks later or if they recur, you need to consult a doctor immediately.

High-risk groups

Regardless of how long your symptoms last for, or the intensity of your infection, it might be a good idea for you to consult a doctor if you fall in any of the high-risk groups below:

• Pregnant women
• Adults aged 65 or older
• Children younger than 6
• People with chronic illnesses that affect the immune system
• People with asthma, heart disease or cancer

Speak to a doctor online today

If you have any of the above symptoms, don’t delay and speak to a doctor online at Prime Medic today. Whether you’re feeling too weak to drive yourself to the doctor, or would rather not wait in the waiting room, Prime Medic offers you the opportunity to book an appointment, consult a doctor and get a medical certificate, all from the comfort of your own home.