When Is a Cold Not a Cold?

Cold symptoms generally are mild to moderate and should disappear within about two weeks. You should seek medical attention if:

• any of your symptoms are serious—high fever, facial or other pain, significantly swollen glands or coughing that produces mucus. You may have the flu or an infection.
• symptoms last longer than two weeks. You may have a sinus infection.
• symptoms seem to go away and then come back. You may have allergies.