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Common cold - Management
When should I follow-up people with the common cold?
- Ask the person with the cold or the parents to arrange a follow-up appointment if:
- 'Red flag' symptoms develop, such as:
- Upper airway distress, for example stridor, drooling, or an inability to swallow.
- Lower airway distress, for example laboured breathing (moderate or severe dyspnoea).
- Severe headache.
- Symptoms are deteriorating (for example after 3–5 days).
- Symptoms are persisting (for example after 7–10 days, but not for a mild cough).
- Maintain a lower threshold for scheduling a return appointment for young children and babies, and advise them to return they develop severe loss of appetite that has led to dehydration, laboured breathing, or prolonged fever.
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