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Common cold - Management
Basis for recommendation
There are no UK guidelines on when it is appropriate to follow-up people with the common cold. Consequently, these recommendations are consistent with North American guidelines from the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement [ICSI, 2004].
- The natural history of the common cold is for symptoms to peak after 3 days and start improving after 5 days (see the section on Prognosis for further details). Symptoms lasting longer than a week (with the exception of mild cough) are unusual and suggest the presence of a different illness, or that a complication may be present.
- The development of 'red flag' signs or symptoms is a cause for concern and should be investigated without delay.
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