Dig out those tissues and bring out the medicine, it’s time for cold season.
Among the coughs and aches, one question’s been puzzling the Fox 8 News team: just when are you contagious?
If you show symptoms–runny nose, cough, congestion and fever–you’re potentially putting people at risk, said Dr. Lara Danziger-Osakov of the Cleveland Clinic.
“The best thing is using your good common sense,” she said. “If you still have a fever, it’s not a good idea to go back to work.”
The common cold is caused by virus, most often caused by the rhinovirus, Danziger-Osakov said. Sometimes, those colds develop into a bacterial infection.
Doctors will often prescribe medicine like antibiotics to treat symptoms–not the cold itself. Some symptoms, like a runny nose, may take weeks to go away.
Even with medicine, you can still spread the cold.
“If someone just has a cold, being on antibiotics won’t get rid of the virus, and you would still be contagious while having symptoms,” she said.
When determining when you should go back to work, Danziger-Osakov said to use common sense and practice good hygiene.
“Things that prevent colds are good hand hygiene,” she said. “It’s important that you wash your hands before and after you eat and before and after you use the bathroom.”
The doctor also encourages people to get a flu shot. While getting a flu shot won’t prevent the common cold, she said it’s good protection against the most common viruses spreading this flu season.