How to Treat a Temperature in a Common Cold

The common cold really is common, causing 22 million lost school days each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first signs of a cold coming on are a scratchy throat, runny nose and sneezing fits. These symptoms may be accompanied by swollen sinuses and mucus buildup in the nose, which makes it difficult to breath. Fevers brought on by a cold are usually slight, but they can climb to 102 degrees. There is no cure for the common cold, but there are some things you can do to treat the symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Fan

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Instructions

• 1

  Go to bed and prepare to stay there for a while. Getting enough rest is the best way to allow your body to fight the virus that caused the cold and fever. Colds and the fevers that accompany them usually last from one to two weeks. Trying to work through the pain will not shorten the duration of the cold and may only serve to infect your co-workers.

• 2

  Drink plenty of fluids. Sore throats and fevers that frequently accompany colds may make drinking uncomfortable and lead to dehydration. In order for the body to fight off the cold virus it must remain hydrated.

• 3

  Take the recommended dosage of an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the fever, but only if it becomes uncomfortable, leads to vomiting or dehydration, or causes sleep difficulties. Keep in mind that a low-grade fever is one of the body's defense mechanisms against the cold virus. The goal is to reduce the fever, not eliminate it.

• 4

  Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a person who does not have a fever. Use a fan if the room is stuffy. Take a lukewarm bath or sponge off with lukewarm water, but do not take a cold bath or cold shower, because this may lead to shivering, which could make the fever worse.

• 5

  Contact your doctor immediately if your fever climbs above 105 degrees or if it remains for more than 72 hours. You should also contact your doctor if your fever is accompanied by painful urination, an unexplained rash or bruising, or a stiff neck.