We've all been there, to have that reassuring tickle at the back of the throat, the runny nose, and light cough. ‘Just a cold,’ we assure ourselves, grabbing for tissues and maybe a hot lemon and honey. And most times, that's exactly what it is, a self-limiting viral infection that clears up on its own with rest and time. But what if that ‘cold’ is not just a cold? What if the symptoms persist, worsen, or result in something worse?
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's tempting to brush off lingering respiratory symptoms, particularly if they don't instantaneously incapacitate us. But brushing aside or treating lightly what appears to be a minor cold can set the stage for an array of underappreciated risks and complications that can substantially affect your health and wellbeing.
When Should A Cold Become A Concern?
In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, our expert, Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant and General Physician, Sharda Hospital - Noida, explained that common cold, most often due to rhinovirus, coronavirus, or adenovirus, would ideally take its course in 7-10 days. The complaints are usually mild: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, congestion, and low-grade fever. When these persist longer than this, worsen in intensity, or are accompanied by new, ominous symptoms, it's a red flag that something more may be in the making.
Here are some of the overlooked risks of not giving chronic respiratory symptoms adequate attention:
1. Secondary Bacterial Infections
One of the most prevalent and problematic complications of an untreated viral respiratory infection is the acquisition of a secondary bacterial infection. A virus can compromise your immune system and injure the protective lining of your respiratory tract, providing a fertile breeding ground for bacteria.
- Sinusitis: Widespread congestion, facial pain, and pressure may signal a bacterial sinus infection. Untreated, chronic sinusitis can cause severe headaches, diminished sense of smell, and in a few cases, infection in the eyes or brain.
- Bronchitis: A persistent, productive cough that brings up thick, colored mucus, as well as chest pain, may be a symptom of acute bronchitis. Although usually viral, it can turn bacterial, resulting in days of recurring coughing spasms and shortness of breath.
- Pneumonia: This is perhaps the most dangerous bacterial complication. When a "cold" develops into a high fever, cough, breathlessness, and chest pain, it may be pneumonia – lung air sac infection. Pneumonia can be fatal, particularly in the very young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
2. Worsening Underlying Chronic Conditions
For those with underlying illness, even a mild cold can precipitate a lethal cascade.
- Asthma: A cold can worsen asthma, causing more frequent and more severe episodes, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. If left untreated, this can culminate in respiratory distress and require emergency treatment.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Individuals with COPD are extremely vulnerable to serious exacerbations due to respiratory infections. A cold can cause heightened mucus production, worsening cough, and serious breathlessness that may need hospitalisation.
- Heart Conditions: Individuals with heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions can have their situation worsened by the body's stress of a persistent infection, resulting in added workload on the heart.
- Diabetes: Infections can result in increasing blood sugar levels among diabetics, making it more difficult to control the condition and possibly resulting in further complications.
3. Increased Illness and Decreased Productivity
Even if it does not become a life-threatening issue, an ignored respiratory infection can greatly extend your illness. What might have otherwise been a few days of misery becomes weeks of feeling tired, run-down, and less than productive. This does not just affect your personal life but your work obligations as well, resulting in lost days at work and decreased productivity.
4. Spread of Infection
By not resting properly and seeking proper care when there are persistent symptoms, you unintentionally increase the risk of infecting other people, especially vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. This inflicts a cycle of disease that affects families, workplaces, and communities.
5. Diagnostic Delay for More Serious Conditions
Occasionally, what might seem like a cold may in fact be the first sign of some more severe, non-contagious condition. Nagging cough, exhaustion, and loss of weight, for instance, might be symptoms of something as benign as allergy or acid reflux, or something as dangerous as tuberculosis or even some form of cancer. Brushing them off as "a cold" can result in disastrous delays in diagnosis and treatment for such illnesses.
When to Get Medical Care?
So, when do you know if your "cold" needs a trip to the doctor? Watch closely for these warning signs:
- Worsening or not improving symptoms after 7-10 days.
- Extreme fever (over 102°F or 39°C) that recurs or lingers.
- Sore throat severe enough, especially with trouble swallowing.
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or breathing trouble.
- Chest pain or feeling of pressure that won't go away.
- Cough that brings up thick, colored (green, yellow, or rust) mucus.
- Severe headache, nausea with neck stiffness.
- New or increasing ear pain.
- Abrupt worsening of the symptoms following improvement.
Bottomline
Most colds are harmless, yet it is important to be an active advocate for your own health. Avoid falling into the trap of brushing off recurring or worsening respiratory issues. Pay attention to your body, identify the red flags, and don't be afraid to consult a doctor when necessary. Taking action early can transform small sniffles into severe health emergencies and ensure swift recovery while protecting your general well-being. Your health is not a luxury; it's a necessity.