Mailing Address:

3328 Jenkins Rd, Suite 200

Chattanooga, TN 37421

Phone: (423) 825-4040

Fax: (423) 825-4043

 

 

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday

9:00am - 5:00pm

 

Sick Walk Ins:

8:30am - 9:00am
(Current Patients Only)

 

Emergency Sick:

(Saturday am by appointment only)

 

Colds

 

A cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat.

 

Cause:
Colds are caused by several respiratory viruses. Healthy children average 6 colds a year. Influenza usually feels like a bad cold with more fever and muscle aches.


Colds are not serious. Between 5 and 10% of children develop a bacterial complication (ear or sinus infection).

 

Normal Symptoms:
Colds cause nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sinus congestion, ear congestion, sore throat, hoarse voice, cough, croup, and red, watery eyes. When you combine all these symptoms, colds are the most common reason for calls to the doctor.

 

Cold symptoms are also the number one reason for office and ER visits. Hopefully this information will save you time and money and help you avoid some unnecessary trips to the doctor. You can be reassured the following are normal cold symptoms and children with these symptoms do not need to be seen:

* Fever up to 3 days
* Sore throat up to 5 days (with other cold symptoms)
* Nasal discharge and congestion up to 2 weeks
* Cough up to 1 week