When Should You Start To Worry If Your Cold Doesn’t Go Away?

Should you worry if a cold stretches for weeks? Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo has the story.

Transcript

00:00Should you worry if your cold lingers for weeks?

00:02The norm is that they tend to last from 3 to 10 days.

00:05But if it's sticking around for longer,

00:07the HuffPost recommends to make sure your cold is not a sign of another illness,

00:11as cold symptoms can be similar to RSV symptoms and COVID.

00:16Dr. Mains, from Yale University,

00:18says if the symptoms progressively get worse,

00:21it could be unrelated to the cold.

00:23Symptoms like prolonged shortness of breath,

00:25wheezing or chest pain are not associated with a cold,

00:29and in fact could be a sign of pneumonia, asthma or even a heart attack.

00:33If you have these symptoms, don't dismiss them.

00:35Get medical attention.

00:37A long cold could be because of lingering inflammation.

00:40WebMD adds that not enough sleep, not enough water and stress

00:45are also reasons your cold could be taking longer to cure.

00:49If your symptoms persist after three weeks,

00:51best be safe and see a doctor who can order the appropriate tests and medication

00:56to have you feeling as good as new.