6 Signs Your Cold Is More Serious Than You Thought

1. The cough does not go away

Symptoms that last between two and three weeks should not cause so much concern, but if you realize that 21 days have passed and that annoying cough insists on not going away, it is better to look for an otorhinolaryngologist. It could be a sign of asthma or another pathology involving the lung.

2. Symptoms come back even stronger

If you feel like you’re on the mend and suddenly experience a relapse, don’t waste time and see a specialist. The reappearance of fever, for example, indicates that the body is suffering from some kind of secondary infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

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3. The phlegm is not transparent

It is normal, even in cases of colds, for the nasal discharge to be clear. “When the mucus starts to turn yellowish or greenish, this could be a sign of acute sinusitis”, warns Fausto Nakandakari, an otorhinolaryngologist at Hospital Sírio Libanês, in São Paulo. It’s also worth keeping an eye out if there’s no blood mixed with the fluid.

4. The eyes are very itchy

Discomfort and excessive itchiness in the eye area indicate that the problem is an allergy and not a common cold. “The trigger can be dust, animal hair or even mold,” says Nakandakari.

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5. Your weight is decreasing

Colds are not able to change the pointer on the scales. If this is happening, see a doctor, as cold symptoms combined with weight loss can be synonymous with thyroid malfunction, bacterial infection or even some types of cancer.

6. You feel pressure through your body

The feeling of pain or pressure in a specific part of the body, such as the throat, mouth or ear, can indicate other types of problems, such as pharyngitis, sinusitis and infections. “In these cases, treatment with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics is necessary”, advises Nakandakari.