These days, coughing and sneezing can be heard in every classroom. The cause is often a common cold. Occasionally, something that may start off looking like a common cold could be more serious. When is it time to see the doctor?
Monitor your symptoms and call your doctor if you observe any of the following:
- Persistent temperature of over 102 degrees F
- Severe headache
- Increased facial swelling
- Very large neck glands
- Painful joints
- Skin rash
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing own saliva
- Persistent vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Persistent greenish nasal discharge
- Foul odor to breath
- Nasal symptoms, facial pressure, or cough that do not improve or get worse after 1-2 weeks.
When in doubt, contact the advice nurse. The nurse can be reached by phone 24 hours a day at 814-863-4463. You can also send a secure message to the advice nurse through myUHS during regular business hours (M-F; 8am-5pm).
Source: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/healthTopics/resources/CommonColdSelfCare.shtml