Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) Quiz
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Sore throat
Fatigued
Dry cough
Nasal congestion
Scratchy throat
Stuffy nose
Frequent sneezing
Wet cough
Runny nose
Throat hurts to swallow
Unexplained joint pain
Throat and ear pain
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)?
Viral infection of the nose and throat. Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, and throat pain. Most colds are caused by viruses; a few are caused by bacteria.
Typical Symptoms of Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Whole body pain
- Sore throat with pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Warm hands and feet
- Headache
- Pain at the back of the head
- Breathing is weaker than usual
Diagnostic Questions for Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Do you have pain all over your body?
- Do you have a sore throat with pain when swallowing?
- Do you have a fever?
- Do you have warm hands and feet?
Treatment of Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
The common cold usually resolves on its own and does not require specific treatment. Healthcare professionals can suggest ways to alleviate symptoms.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Dec 13, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)?
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- My whole body aches and I feel weak
- Pain when swallowing
- Have a fever
- Body aches and chills
- Hands and feet feel hot
- Hard to eat
- Joint pain and stiffness all over body
- My body is hot
- Whole body aches no fever
- Difficult to swallow food because of pain
- Hot palms and feet
- My whole body hurts
- Recurrent fevers
- Throat feels burnt when I drink
- Whole body pain
See full list
Symptoms Related to Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
Diseases Related to Common Cold (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
FAQs
Q.
Can you take robitussin while pregnant?
A.
Yes, Robitussin DM with dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is generally considered low risk in pregnancy when taken as directed, especially after the first trimester. There are several factors to consider, including choosing single-ingredient or DM-only products, avoiding phenylephrine, using non-drug options first, correct dosing, and when to seek medical care, so see the complete guidance below to decide your next steps or confirm with your clinician.
References:
Mitchell AA, Gilboa SM, Werler MM. (2011). Medication use during pregnancy, with focus on prescription drugs: results from the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol, 21559597.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21559597/
Gouin K, Kulozik A, Delaney BF. (2016). Dextromethorphan exposure in early pregnancy and risk of major congenital malformations: a population‐based case–control study. J Clin Pharmacol, 26561907.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561907/
de Lédinghen V, Vergniol J. (2014). Liver stiffness measurement predicts first hepatic decompensation in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Journal of Hepatology, 24353371.
Q.
Does robitussin make you sleepy?
A.
Most Robitussin formulas with dextromethorphan and/or guaifenesin are not sedating, but Nighttime or PM versions with diphenhydramine can make you drowsy, and products with pseudoephedrine may even feel stimulating. There are several factors to consider, including age, other sedating medicines, alcohol, dose, and health conditions; see below for which ingredients to choose or avoid, tips to prevent drowsiness, and when to seek medical care.
References:
Paul IM, Beiler JS, King TS, et al. (2007). Effect of dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and honey on nocturnal cough and sle… Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 17178931.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17178931/
D’Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a sys… Journal of Hepatology, 16226134.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16226134/
Moore KP, Wong F, Ginès P, et al. (2003). Guideline on the management of ascites in cirrhosis. Gut, 15020358.
Q.
Cefdinir side effects: 5 important things doctors wish you knew
A.
Cefdinir side effects you should know include common GI upset like diarrhea and nausea, allergic reactions from rash to rare anaphylaxis, microbiome changes that can lead to yeast infections or C. difficile, rare blood or liver problems, and important interactions that reduce absorption with iron, antacids, or acid reducers; dosing may need adjustment if you have kidney disease. Finish the prescribed course and seek urgent care for severe or bloody diarrhea, trouble breathing, swelling with hives, jaundice, dark urine, unusual bruising, or persistent upper abdominal pain, and separate doses from iron while telling your clinician about all medicines and supplements. There are several factors to consider and many more important details that could change your next steps; see below for the complete answer.
References:
Matzke GR, Halstenson CE, Jarjoura D, Sheth RD, & Burckart GJ. (1998). Cefdinir: a review of its antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetic pr… Drugs, 9532269.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9532269/
D’Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, & Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic revi… Journal of Hepatology, 16624461.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16624461/
Ziol M, Handra-Luca A, Kettaneh A, et al. (2005). Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis by measurement of stiffness: a prospect… Hepatology, 15649786.
Q.
Life past 65: Five important things people get wrong about cefdinir
A.
There are several factors to consider with cefdinir after 65: it does not treat viral illnesses, cultures may be needed to rule out resistance, and you should complete the full prescribed course. See below to understand more. Important details below cover dose adjustments for reduced kidney function, sensitivity to side effects like diarrhea and C diff, and how liver disease and low albumin can change drug levels, which could affect whether you need testing, a different dose, or urgent care.
References:
Sanders WE Jr, Dicuccio ME, Ballow CH, & Deterding LJ. (1995). In vitro activity of cefdinir and other oral antimicrobials against common respiratory… Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 7745054.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7745054/
D’Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, & Pagliaro L. (2006). Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic… Hepatology, 12133691.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12133691/
Friedrich-Rust M, Ong MF, Martens S, Sarrazin C, Bojunga J, Zeuzem S, & Herrmann E. (2013). Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis: meta-analysis of transient… Journal of Hepatology, 24192892.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Heikkinen T, Järvinen A. The common cold. Lancet. 2003 Jan 4;361(9351):51-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12162-9. PMID: 12517470; PMCID: PMC7112468.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)12162-9/fulltextPassioti M, Maggina P, Megremis S, Papadopoulos NG. The common cold: potential for future prevention or cure. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014 Feb;14(2):413. doi: 10.1007/s11882-013-0413-5. PMID: 24415465; PMCID: PMC7088639.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-013-0413-5Mousa HA. Prevention and Treatment of Influenza, Influenza-Like Illness, and Common Cold by Herbal, Complementary, and Natural Therapies. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jan;22(1):166-174. doi: 10.1177/2156587216641831. Epub 2016 Apr 6. PMID: 27055821; PMCID: PMC5871211.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2156587216641831