A cold can cause mild symptoms like a stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, and low energy. Most people start feeling better in about 7-10 days, with a cough lasting longer. But if you’re noticing new symptoms or are not getting better when you expected to, it could mean your cold is getting worse.
Here are 9 warning signs your cold is getting worse:
You might have a low-grade fever (usually below 100.4 degrees Farenehit for adults) in the first few days of a cold. But if your temperature feels very high—or if any fever lasts longer than four days— and is not responding to medication like Motrin (ibuprofen), it could mean something else is going on. High or persistent fevers can be a sign of a different type of infection, like strep throat or pneumonia.
If your fever is high or lasting longer than expected, reach out to a doctor. They can run tests to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Cold symptoms tend to peak around day three or four, then slowly improve. If you begin to feel better and suddenly your symptoms come back, especially with more coughing, congestion, or fatigue, it could mean you’ve developed another infection, like sinusitis, pneumonia, an ear infection, or bronchitis. This can happen because your immune system was already weakened from fighting the cold, allowing other microbes to cause a new infection.
If your symptoms get worse after initially improving, a doctor can assess whether you need medications, such as antibiotics, which treat a bacterial infection. However, most colds and sinus infections are caused by viruses.
Pain or pressure around your cheeks, forehead, or eyes is a classic sign of sinusitis. This infection happens when mucus builds up and your sinuses get inflamed, often after a cold.
Contact your doctor if the pain or pressure:
- Is strong
- Lasts more than 10-14 days
- Is accompanied by thick yellow or green mucus
- Gets better in the first few days after a cold but then returns or worsens
You may feel mild chest discomfort from coughing when you have a cold. But chest pain, pressure, or tightness isn’t typical for a cold. These symptoms could mean the main passages that carry air to your lungs are inflamed or a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.
Call your doctor or seek medical care right away if you:
- Have severe chest pain
- Are sweaty
- Feel dizzy
- Having trouble breathing
A cold shouldn’t leave you feeling short of breath. If catching your breath suddenly feels harder than usual, don’t ignore it. It could mean your lungs aren’t getting enough air, which can happen if a cold has progressed to bronchitis or pneumonia. Shortness of breath with a cold may also mean the sickness has triggered an asthma flare-up.
Seek medical care immediately if you:
- Are struggling to breathe
- Can’t speak in full sentences without gasping
- Notice your lips or fingers turning pale or bluish
Early in a cold, your mucus might be clear or slightly cloudy. When it becomes thick, yellow, or green and stays that way for several days, it suggests that a different viral or bacterial infection might be developing.
Mucus color alone doesn’t always mean infection. But you should see a doctor if you also have:
- Fever
- Facial pain
- Worsening congestion
A feeling of fullness in your ears, pain, or muffled hearing often means fluid has built up behind your eardrum. This is a common complication when congestion blocks your ear canals, which can turn into an ear infection.
Ear infections can get worse quickly and may damage your hearing if left untreated. Contact a doctor if you have:
- Sharp pain
- Constant pain
- Fever
- Drainage from the ear
Headaches can occur if you’re congested due to a cold. But strong or persistent headaches, especially one that feels worse when you bend forward or move quickly, can be a sign of conditions like dehydration or a sinus infection. Some people also feel pressure behind their eyes, which can be a sign of sinus trouble.
When rest, fluids, or over-the-counter medicine don’t help, notify your doctor to make sure there’s not another infection or health condition causing the headache.
The scratchy, sore throat you generally get with a cold should start to ease after a few days, and it shouldn’t make it painful to swallow. Sharp pain when swallowing, white patches, or swelling in your throat could indicate strep throat or another infection.
You should see a doctor if your throat pain:
- Is severe
- Lasts longer than a few days
- Makes it hard to eat or drink
Most colds clear up on their own. Sometimes the virus can make you more likely to develop other infections, which can be mild or serious, depending on your overall health and how your body responds. Complications that can develop if a cold doesn’t improve as expected include:
- Sinus infection
- Ear infection
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Strep throat
- Worsening chronic conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or heart failure
- Infections with the flu, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
You should contact a doctor if:
- Your fever is high and/or persistent, even after taking fever-reducing medication
- Your symptoms get worse after starting to improve
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days without getting better
- Swallowing becomes painful
You should get immediate care if you:
- Cough up blood
- Feel confused
- Have severe chest pain
- Notice your lips or fingertips turning bluish
Delaying treatment can allow infections like pneumonia or sinusitis to worsen, potentially leading to more serious complications. For anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or a weakened immune system, a mild cold can become serious, so it’s best to reach out to a doctor early.
If you currently have a cold, here’s how to stay on top of your health and avoid complications:
- Track your symptoms: Note when they started and how they’ve changed so you can discuss with your doctor if needed.
- Keep up with home care: Continue resting, stay hydrated, and use over-the-counter medicines as directed.
- Consider testing for other infections: If you have a high fever, body aches, or recent exposure to the flu or COVID-19, get tested. Your treatment plan may be different based on the results.
- Be prepared to contact your doctor: Have your symptom notes, medications, allergies, and health conditions ready when talking with your provider.
And remember, preventing the next cold starts with washing your hands regularly or using a hand sanitizer, avoiding touching your face, avoiding people who are sick, and strengthening your immune system.
