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Complications of the common cold: when to see a doctor?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Typically, cold symptoms go away on their own, without treatment. But if your body is attacked by cold complications, the situation can get worse very quickly. How to distinguish the symptoms of cold complications and what to do if your condition worsens?
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Colds and sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinuses. This inflammation causes mucus to build up in the sinuses, and the glands in the sinuses will now secrete more mucus. You may then develop increased pressure in your nose due to the fluid in the sinuses - and you may get a headache.
If your cold persists for more than a week and you start to experience sinus pain, headache, toothache, nasal congestion, cough, thick yellow or green nasal discharge, be sure to see a doctor. You may have a nasal infection. This is a very dangerous condition that requires a visit to the doctor.
Don't confuse a cold with the flu
Symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, fatigue with a cold go away on their own. But with the flu, you will have to be treated. If you have severe muscle and headache pain or a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, it may still be the flu. Then you will need to check with your doctor what exactly you are sick with. The medications prescribed by him can shorten the duration of flu symptoms if you contact your doctor immediately after the symptoms appear.
But sometimes even a mild cold can lead to serious medical complications, including:
- Sinus infections (sinusitis or maxillary sinusitis)
- Asthma attacks
- Bronchitis (with dry cough)
- Ear infections
Read also: Complications after the flu: what should you be wary of?
Additionally, if you had asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema before your cold, you may develop respiratory symptoms weeks later—just when you thought you were breathing easier and your cold was over. Let's look at some of the complications of the common cold.
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When to call a doctor for complications of a cold?
If you or your child has any of the following symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention:
- Ear pain
- Sinus pain (pain around the nose and eyes) that lasts more than a week
- A temperature above 39 degrees Celsius, especially if the baby is under 12 weeks old.
- Cough with phlegm that does not stop for more than a week
- Dyspnea
- Worsening of cold symptoms during the first three days
- Cold symptoms that last longer than 14 days
If you have these complications of the cold, you may need antibiotics or other medications. And, of course, a consultation with a general practitioner.
Colds and bronchitis (with complications of colds)
Acute bronchitis (also called a cold) is inflammation and irritation of the airways caused by a bacterial or viral infection. With bronchitis, you may cough up mucus that may be thick and yellow, or sometimes streaked with blood.
Most people recover without treatment. But if these symptoms persist for more than a week or you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor to get medical help as soon as possible. Also call your doctor if you have chronic lung disease or asthma or any of these symptoms.
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Colds and ear infections
Ear infections are another complication of the common cold. Viruses cause up to 80% of ear infections, and, sadly, antibiotics have no effect on them.
For bacterial infections involving streptococcus bacteria, which causes more than 7 million cases of ear infections, you may develop ear pain, insomnia, hearing problems, fever, partial deafness.
Colds and chronic diseases
If you have a chronic condition such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, or HIV/AIDS, a cold can lead to more serious health problems. That's why it's important to know what prevention and treatment you can take to manage cold complications.
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Other secondary infections
These include acute pharyngitis (streptococcal pharyngitis), pneumonia, bronchitis in adults and bronchiolitis in children. These infections need to be treated in hospital.