Coronavirus: Signs, Symptoms, FAQs, and Treatments

Having A Cold Is *So* Annoying. Here Are 6 Signs Relief Is In Sight

We've all been there—dealing with a runny nose, scratchy throat, and that "ugh, I feel awful" cold. "Colds are caused by a common virus [typically a rhinovirus] that infects your body," says William Li, MD, physician-scientist and author of Eat to Beat Disease. As soon as your immune system detects the virus, it will spring into action to fight. Most of those cruddy cold symptoms—cough, congestion, sore throat—are actually signs that your cold is getting better and that your body is defending itself.

But after a few days of misery, you might start to wonder: Am I actually getting better? The good news is, there are some clear signs that your body is kicking that cold to the curb. If you're tired of feeling like a human tissue dispenser and want to know if the end is in sight, here are a few clues that you're on the mend and headed back to your healthy, awesome self.

6 signs a cold is getting better

Getting over a cold can feel like it takes forever. If you've been wondering whether your cold is in the rearview mirror, here are a few signs to let you know you're closer to feeling like yourself again.

1. There's a change in your mucus color

Coughing up yellow or green gook? This is a surefire sign of being sick. When a virus infects your body, it immediately sends immune cells to fight the foreign invader. "These immune cells head right to the site of infection, which is often your nose and your sinuses, where your mucus is formed," Dr. Li says. "When the battle begins, more and more of your immune cells will pile up in the mucus, and this changes the color from clear to white (and if the infection is progressing, the mucous can even change to yellow or green)."

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Tracking your mucus color can also tell you when you're on the mend. Once "the color starts to change back to clear," this is a signal that "your immune system has won, and the cold is easing up," Dr. Li says.

2. You no longer have a fever

Whenever you run a fever during a cold, know that your body is busy fighting a virus. "Infection triggers a fever because high temperatures are useful to help the immune system kill viruses," Dr. Li says. So, while fever and chills aren't super pleasant, they're a sign that your body's defenses are functioning well.

Another good sign? When your fever breaks. "It's because your immune system has won the battle," Dr. Li says.

3. Your body aches went away

If your fever, cough, and stuffy nose don't sideline you, your achy muscles will. "Body aches during viral infections are caused by inflammatory cytokines—i.E., special virus-killing proteins released by immune cells," Dr. Li says. Again, while crappy in the short term, these symptoms are evidence that your immune system is working as it should.

As your aches start to go away, it's a sign that your cold has run its course. "When the virus is vanquished, your immune cells turn off the cytokines, and your body aches go away," Dr. Li says.

4. Other symptoms become less severe

Common cold symptoms like congestion, cough, and runny nose are your body's way of defending itself. Whenever you breathe in a germ, it triggers a protective response from the lining of the nose and sinuses, according to New York-Presbyterian. This results in inflammation and increased secretions, which leads to the characteristic stuffy or runny noses you get during a cold. "Congestion in your sinuses and in your airways [also] causes irritation and sneezing," Dr. Li says.

"When the virus is killed, there is less irritation," he says. That means your congestion, cough, and runny or sneezy nose will ease up, and you're one step closer to feeling as good as new.

5. You're sleeping better

One of the suckiest symptoms of a cold: crappy sleep. "It's hard to sleep when you have airway and sinus irritation, fever, and body aches caused by a cold virus," Dr Li says. Luckily, this lack of sleep doesn't last long. After a few days, you'll start to notice that you can snooze for longer stretches without waking up with a sore throat (or to cough) or struggling to breathe through your nose.

"As your body clears the virus, these signs abate, and you start sleeping better," Dr. Li says.

6. You have more energy

There's a reason you feel totally wiped when you have a cold. "Your body responds to a virus infection by forcing you to rest, and this saps your energy," Dr. Li says. "The cytokines that your immune system releases also can cause fatigue."

Once your cold runs its course, you'll start wanting to spend less time in bed. Getting your oomph back is a clue that you're over the hump. "As you recover from a cold, your energy returns because you are returning to a normal, healthy state," Dr. Li says.

How long does a cold usually last?

Typically, a common cold will last seven to 10 days, though it can stick around for two weeks. Most common colds follow a predictable timeline and develop in three stages, according to UnityPoint Health:

Stage 1: This is the early stage of your cold, between days one and three. You start to develop symptoms, but can still function pretty well.

Stage 2: The active stage of your cold, between days four and seven. This is when you feel the crappiest. On top of symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, and cough, you might also get body aches, fatigue, and a low-grade fever.

Stage 3: The late stage of your cold, between days seven and 10. This is the recovery phase. Your symptoms improve or may dissipate altogether.

How long is a cold contagious?

As long as you have symptoms, you can spread a cold, according to the National Health Service (NHS). But it's also possible to transmit an infection even before your symptoms develop. That's because it can take a few days after an exposure to a virus before you start feeling unwell. All things considered, figure most people are contagious for a week or two.

Even when you're contagious, you can still reduce the risk of spreading a cold with a few simple strategies, per the NHS:

Wash your hands often with warm water and soap

Use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze (and toss out used tissues ASAP)

Avoid sharing towels or household items with others

Germs can survive on surfaces for 24 hours (some can last even longer), per the NHS, so disinfecting high-touch areas in your home (like light switches, doorknobs, and sinks) is also helpful to prevent the spread of viruses to people in your household.

How to ease cold symptoms in the meantime

Most colds are viral. Meaning, medicines like antibiotics are useless, so you just have to let a cold run its course. (If you have an infection, like a sinus infection, you'll need antibiotics.) Still, there are things you can do to make yourself more comfortable as you ride it out. Here are some tried-and-true tips to treat your cold symptoms.

1. Stay hydrated: Warm fluids (think: tea, warm water with lemon, or broth) can soothe a scratchy throat, prevent dehydration, and ease congestion, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Alternatively, sucking on ice chips can temporarily numb a sore throat and keep you hydrated as well.

2. Coat your throat: Sip some tea or hot water with some lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

3. Take over-the-counter pain medicines: Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can help ease headaches and body aches, Dr. Li says.

4. Slurp some chicken soup: "Studies have shown the proteins in chicken soup can help quell the inflammation in your body," Dr. Li says.

5. Gargle with salt water: A saltwater gargle can help reduce the pain and swelling of a sore throat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of warm water and gargle in your mouth for a few seconds at a time, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

6. Use a humidifier: Dry air can worsen a sore throat, so adding some moisture to the air can be helpful, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. No humidifier? No problem. Simply put a shallow bowl of water near a heat source. As the water evaporates, it'll slowly humidify the room.

7. Rest: Your body often needs more sleep when you're sick. "Stay in bed and let your body spend its energy fighting the infection," Dr. Li says.

When to see a doctor

Having a cold is no fun. But in most cases, it's just a temporary inconvenience. With home remedies, you can usually treat a cold without seeing your doctor. And, after a week or two, you should be (mostly) symptom-free or at least on the road to recovery.

But if your cold is lingering for longer than two weeks, or your symptoms are severe, you could be dealing with a more serious infection. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, per Dr. Li:

Difficulty breathing

Chest pain

High fever (that doesn't go away with aspirin)

Coughing with dark-colored phlegm

You are unable to keep down fluids (i.E., vomiting or diarrhea to the point of dehydration)

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Brain-swelling 'sloth' Fever Could Be Caught Via SEX As Cases Detected In Europe For First Time

DEBILITATING 'sloth' fever could be passed on via sex, experts fear, after the virus was detected in sperm.

The little-known disease, officially called Oropouche virus, was found in Europe this summer for the first time after it started spreading rapidly in Latin America.

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'Sloth' fever could be transmitted via sex, experts have warnedCredit: Getty

The bug typically circulates between primates, including sloths - hence the nickname - before it is occasionally passed to humans by midges and mosquitoes.

Until now, experts didn't think the virus could spread from person to person.

But a new study found "live" Oropouche virus in the semen of a 42-year-old Italian man 16 days after he initially developed symptoms, sparking concerns about possible sexual transmission.

The findings, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, could also impact sperm donation and fertility treatments.

"Pending further evidence we recommend use of barrier protection when engaging in sexual intercourse if OROV is confirmed or suspected," the Italian researchers said.

Most Oropouche infections are mild, with symptoms similar to Dengue, including a headache, body pains, nausea, a rash and sensitivity to light.

Some individuals may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms, like sickness and diarrhoea.

In severe cases, the virus can also attack the brain leading to meningitis or encephalitis, which can be fatal.

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To make matters worse, the disease is currently incurable.

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It has been circulating in Latin America and the Caribbean for decades.

A surge in cases of the bug, which is endemic in the Amazon Rainforest, has been recorded in Brazil this year – 7,284, up from 832 in 2023.

And many infections have been recorded in areas that have not previously seen the virus, including Cuba.

Last month, Brazil reported the world's first deaths from the bug after two women in their early twenties passed away in Bahia state in the northeast of the country, 

The two women, aged 21 and 24, suffered severe bleeding and hypotension and were reported dead on July 25.

At least 19 cases of Oropouche were reported in Europe for the first time in June and July, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) -  with 12 in Spain, five in Italy and two in Germany.

But these cases were imported into Europe - 18 of the people infected had just travelled back from Cuba and one of them from Brazil.

Oropouche virus: Everything you need to know

Oropouche fever is a disease caused by Oropouche virus

It is spread through the bites of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.

Symptoms of Oropouche fever are similar to dengue and include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light.

Severe cases may result in brain diseases such as meningitis.

Symptoms typically start 4–8 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days.

Most people recover without long-term effects.

There are no specific medications or vaccines are available.

Precautions

Travellers heading to affected areas should take steps to avoid bug bites.

The virus is endemic in many South American countries, in both rural and urban communities.

Outbreaks are periodically reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Wear tops with long sleeves and long trousers, apply insect repellent regularly, and sleep under a mosquito net if you are not in enclosed, air-conditioned accommodation.

Source: US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Respiratory Viruses Are On The Rise As COVID And Flu Season Approaches

Respiratory viruses including COVID-19, the flu and the common cold are continuing to spread across campus. As the seasons change, health professionals lend their advice to help students stop the excessive spread of germs. 

"If you are having nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches or chills, those are the symptoms that you're going to want to look out for to seek out a COVID test," health promotion and assessment specialist at the DeWeese Health Center Amanda Bretzin said.

Since the start of the semester through the morning of Oct. 5, 493 COVID tests have been conducted at the DeWeese Health Center, resulting in 103 positive COVID cases, Bretzin said.

"It is expected that we will see these numbers increase around this time of year," Bretzin said.

Senior computer science major TJ Laryea experienced asymptomatic COVID in late September after contracting the virus from his roommate and testing positive. 

"I had no symptoms," Laryea said. "I was perfectly fine except for having a scratchy throat but no flu-like symptoms or anything." 

According to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, studies suggest about 1 in 5 people infected with coronavirus never develop symptoms. The common lack of symptoms makes it harder to detect COVID before it spreads. 

Laryea said when he contracted COVID last December he felt very ill, unlike his most recent brush with the virus.

"I had COVID last December, right before Christmas, and I was in bed for two weeks when I had it last time," Laryea said.

Laryea said he received the initial COVID vaccination and the booster but has not yet received this season's updated COVID vaccine.

Within the last couple of weeks, DeWeese has received this season's COVID vaccines and has administered 30 doses, Bretzin said. Vaccines can also be obtained from local pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS. 

"We're working on getting more of those [COVID vaccines] here at the health center," Bretzin said.

Free at home COVID testing kits are available in DeWeese's lobby with a limit of one box per student.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance recommends staying home if you're sick and wearing a mask for an additional five days after symptoms improve. It is recommended that you stay home and away from others for 24 hours after seeing an improvement in symptoms and no fever without the utilization of fever-reducing medication.

After Laryea tested positive, he missed class to complete a three-day precautionary quarantine as recommended by a DeWeese physician. Following COVID guidelines, washing hands regularly, taking immune boosting supplements and getting enough rest can help stop the spread of viruses during cold months. 

The DeWeese Health Center will be offering multiple flu vaccination clinics for students, faculty and staff for the 2024-2025 flu season. The next clinic is from 10 a.M. To 1 p.M. On Wednesday, Oct. 16 in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom. 

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 330-672-2322 or by visiting the health center's patient portal. Patients are asked to bring their health insurance card to their appointment.

"If you haven't been up-to-date on your COVID vaccine or your flu vaccine, now is a great time to do it," Bretzin said. "We have them here [DeWeese Health Center] and are happy to get you scheduled."

Lauren Bischof is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].

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