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What Causes Frequent Cold Symptoms?
Question: I had a cold a month ago that lasted 2 full weeks, I now have another one. Can this be indicative of something else going on or just a relapse?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Is your current cold lasting for an extended time as well?
It's not too out of the ordinary to have an occasional cold that lasts more than a 10 days (most colds last 7-10 days) and to be hit with another one a month later. But if you find that you are having a pattern of frequent infections, and especially if they become complicated with secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia, then it would be reasonable to look into.
Increased stress, and increased exposures to infections can predispose an otherwise healthy person to picking up more infections.
At the beginning of my pediatric rotation in medical school, all of the students were getting sick from whatever infectious diseases we were exposed to. Our instructor taught us to not touch our eyes or nose with our hands unless we had immediately prior to this washed our hands and not touched anything else in-between. Using a tissue with the part that touches nose or eyes not touched by our hands is a safe bet too.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and good nutrition.
If you find there is an overall increase in getting severe upper respiratory infections, then do go in to see your doctor. Things that should be checked are your nose, sinuses, throat for signs of drainage (such as from allergies or sinus inflammation), check blood sugar (for diabetes) and get a complete blood count to see if you have adequate white blood cells to ward off infection.
But as of now, it doesn't sound too out of the ordinary.
One other thing: sometimes after a more significant viral infection, such as influenza (flu), people's immune systems may be a bit under par for a while (6 weeks to 3 months) and so you can be more susceptible to other viruses such as colds.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Is your current cold lasting for an extended time as well?
It's not too out of the ordinary to have an occasional cold that lasts more than a 10 days (most colds last 7-10 days) and to be hit with another one a month later. But if you find that you are having a pattern of frequent infections, and especially if they become complicated with secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia, then it would be reasonable to look into.
Increased stress, and increased exposures to infections can predispose an otherwise healthy person to picking up more infections.
At the beginning of my pediatric rotation in medical school, all of the students were getting sick from whatever infectious diseases we were exposed to. Our instructor taught us to not touch our eyes or nose with our hands unless we had immediately prior to this washed our hands and not touched anything else in-between. Using a tissue with the part that touches nose or eyes not touched by our hands is a safe bet too.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and good nutrition.
If you find there is an overall increase in getting severe upper respiratory infections, then do go in to see your doctor. Things that should be checked are your nose, sinuses, throat for signs of drainage (such as from allergies or sinus inflammation), check blood sugar (for diabetes) and get a complete blood count to see if you have adequate white blood cells to ward off infection.
But as of now, it doesn't sound too out of the ordinary.
One other thing: sometimes after a more significant viral infection, such as influenza (flu), people's immune systems may be a bit under par for a while (6 weeks to 3 months) and so you can be more susceptible to other viruses such as colds.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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