What is cold (upper respiratory infection)?

An upper respiratory infection, also called a URI, is an infection of the nose, sinuses, or throat. Viruses or bacteria can cause URIs. Colds, the flu, and sinusitis are examples of URIs. These infections are spread by coughs, sneezes, and close contact.

You may need antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not help viral infections. But you can treat most infections with home care. This may include drinking lots of fluids and taking over-the-counter pain medicine. You will probably feel better in 4 to 10 days.

Cold symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, a sore throat, a cough, headaches, and body aches. Flu symptoms are worse and come on faster. They include fatigue, fever, body aches, headaches, a dry cough, and a sore throat. If symptoms last more than 2 weeks, you may have sinusitis or allergies.

Most people can treat their symptoms with home care, such as resting and taking medicine to lower their fever. For some URIs, your doctor may prescribe medicine that can make the symptoms milder. People who have severe symptoms or get pneumonia need treatment in the hospital.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. This may give the doctor enough information to know if you have a cold, the flu, or another illness. In some cases, the doctor may test a sample from your nose, throat, or lungs to find out what's causing your illness.

• If your baby has problems breathing or eating because of a stuffy nose, put a few saline (saltwater) nasal drops in one nostril. Using a soft rubber suction bulb, squeeze air out of the bulb, and gently place the tip inside the baby's nose. Relax your hand to suck the mucus from the nose. Repeat in the other nostril.
• Place a cool-mist humidifier near your baby. This may help your child breathe. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
• Keep your baby away from smoke. Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke around your baby or in your house.
• Wash your hands and your baby's hands regularly so that you don't spread the infection.
• Do not give medicines to babies younger than 3 months old.

Colds are the most common infection of the nose, sinuses, or throat (upper respiratory infection). Colds are caused by viruses. They're spread by coughs, sneezes, and close contact. You can catch a cold at any time of year, but they're more common in late winter and early spring. There's no cure for colds.