Also tell your care team about any recent illnesses you’ve had, such as a cold or flu, and if you still have some symptoms of these infections, such as coughing, stuffy nose or a fever. Read the instructions in your surgical checklist. You get anesthesia for this surgery, so you need to follow instructions about what to eat and drink.

Most people recover from a common cold in 7 to 10 days. Symptoms might last longer in people who smoke. Most often, you don't need medical care for a common cold. If symptoms don't get better or if they get worse, see your health care provider. Illnesses of the nose and throat caused by germs are called upper respiratory tract infections.

Treatment There's no cure for the common cold. Most cases of the common cold get better without treatment within 7 to 10 days. But a cough may last a few more days. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself while your body heals. Care tips include: Rest. Drink plenty of liquids. Humidify the air. Use saline nasal rinses. Antibiotics do not treat cold viruses. They are used to treat ...

Why is a cold so hard to treat?“The common cold is not just one illness — it’s a whole mess of different infections that cause…

Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold. But do they work? Nothing can cure a cold, which is caused by germs called viruses. But some remedies might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so bad. Here's a look at some common cold remedies and what's known about them.