Head cold symptoms and how to help manage them

Like flies in the summertime, head colds are just a part of life. Telltale symptoms, like a runny nose and scratchy throat, often come with it. American adults can expect to suffer from two to three colds each year on average, and that number is often higher for children.

Congestion, headaches and that overall crummy feeling can make everyday tasks a slog. Coughing, another symptom of a head cold, might keep someone up at night. While there is no cure for a head cold, some products and practices can help make symptoms easier to manage and can give the body some much-needed relief.

Here’s what to know about managing colds at home and when it might be time to seek treatment from a health care provider.

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What is a head cold?

“A head cold is a colloquial term for the common cold,” notes Seth Trueger, MD, MPH, an emergency physician based in Illinois and the spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. These colds affect the upper respiratory tract, such as the nose and throat. They are among the most widespread illnesses in the world.

“There are a number of viruses that cause colds,” explains Dr. Trueger. “Two of the main types are rhinoviruses (‘rhino’ means nose in Greek) and coronaviruses, which we knew about long before COVID-19.”

There are over 200 viruses that can cause a head cold. Melanie Carver, chief mission officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, says, “Colds occur when a cold virus settles into the mucus membranes of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.”

Most cold viruses spread from person to person through the air. Some cold viruses can spread by touch. Many of these viruses typically spread during the winter, but a common cold can still occur during other seasons.

Dr. Trueger notes that a person can lower their chances of catching a cold by wearing a mask in busy areas and by washing their hands frequently, especially before eating or touching their face.

Head cold symptoms

A way to spot a head cold is by noticing symptoms in the head, nose and throat. While signs can vary, a person might experience the following:

• Coughing
• Headache
• Minor body aches
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose

In otherwise healthy people, head colds usually last 7 to 10 days, notes Sukrut Dwivedi, DO, FACP, an infectious disease specialist with ID Care in New Jersey. “The symptoms of a head cold usually start improving after 3 to 4 days of the onset,” he says.

Over-the-counter options (OTC) for a head cold

Head colds can’t be cured. The vast majority of cases don’t require medical attention, explains Dr. Trueger. “They are caused by viruses, not bacteria. So, the good news is, people don’t need to take antibiotics. Viruses just need to run their course.”

When searching for short-term relief support from nagging symptoms, a number of over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines may help. According to Dr. Dwivedi, it’s important to remember that some medications can interact with other medications or can cause side effects. “People should talk to their doctor before taking OTC medications if they are pregnant, breastfeeding or have any underlying medical conditions,” he says.

It's important to check the labels of any OTC option before using it. Many cough and cold products contain multiple ingredients or can only be used by people of certain ages. Checking ingredients can avoid doubling up on the same active ingredients. To understand which products may contain the same ingredients, check in with a local health care provider.

OTC options include the following:

• Throat lozenges. If the trouble is a sore throat, throat lozenges may help. Many lozenges also contain an ingredient like menthol that can help quiet a cough. Some options include Ricola Max throat care cough drops and CVS Health cough drops.
• Saline nasal spray or drops. When the nasal passages feel clogged, nasal congestion relief spray can be used for a short period. As always, it’s important to read the label before taking any medication. Overuse of certain products can cause nasal congestion to get worse. A few products to consider include Vicks Sinex Severe 12-hour original nasal decongestant and CVS Health 12-hour decongestant nasal spray. (It is recommended that these products should not be used for more than three days.)
• Pain relievers. Aches can be a symptom, too. These can help be addressed with pain relievers. “Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve fever, headache and muscle aches,” says Dr. Dwivedi. Options to consider include Tylenol extra strength caplets (acetaminophen) and Motrin IB (ibuprofen).

Other care for a head cold

For most run-of-the-mill colds, Dr. Trueger notes that the best treatment is “rest and plenty of fluids.” Staying hydrated helps the body function normally.

“Steam can also act as a natural decongestant,” adds Carver. Relaxing in a hot shower, breathing over a pot of steaming water, drinking plenty of fluids and staying close to a clean humidifier might help.

Another helper can be found in the kitchen cabinet, adds Dr. Trueger. He recommends a spoonful of honey every few hours to help with a cough. However, babies younger than age 1 should not be given honey.

Other home care options include using a neti pot for congestion relief support.

Neti pots to consider include the CVS Health soft-tip neti pot sinus wash system or the NeilMed NasaFlo neti pot.

When to see a health care provider

Most people with a head cold feel better within a week. If symptoms last longer than 10 days without improvement, get worse over that time or improve but then come back stronger, it’s important to seek medical attention.

Dr. Trueger also recommends keeping an eye out for some of the stronger signals that a cold could become an emergency. Those include feeling too weak to take deep breaths or having trouble eating or drinking. However, these are not all inclusive. If someone is ever feeling extra run down or has any severe or concerning symptoms, it may be a good idea to make an appointment.