Can I go to class with a cold?

Can I go to class with a cold?

For a cold with a runny nose, sore throat and a mild cough, many people can go to class if they feel okay. Stay home if you have a fever, if you are too tired to follow the lecture, or if you are coughing a lot. A day of rest early on often shortens the whole thing, and keeps you from passing it around the dorm.

Is it a cold, flu or COVID?

• Cold: runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild or no fever
• Flu: sudden fever, body aches, chills and heavy fatigue
• COVID: can look like either, sometimes with loss of taste or smell

If you are not sure, a COVID test is easy to do. See flu vs cold and COVID vs allergies.

Be considerate in class and the dorm

• Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow
• Wash your hands, or use sanitizer when you cannot
• Use your own cups and utensils
• Sit near an aisle or a window if you can
• Wear a mask in a packed lecture hall if you are coughing

What actually helps a cold?

• Fluids and rest
• Saline spray or a humidifier for a stuffy nose
• Honey in warm water or tea for cough, for adults
• Over-the-counter pain relievers for aches, following the label

Antibiotics do not work on colds. Most colds clear in 7 to 10 days, and the cough can last a little longer. See how long a cold lasts.

When it is not just a cold

• Fever over 102 F or a fever that lasts more than 3 days
• Symptoms that get worse after 10 days, or improve and then return
• Severe sore throat, especially without a cough, which may be strep
• Ear or sinus pain with pressure that does not clear
• Wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to the ER

If you are not sure what you have, our AI doctor asks a few questions and sends you a care note you can bring to student health.

What about exams and sports?

If you have a mild cold, you can usually take the exam. If you have a fever or feel unable to focus, ask early for a makeup and bring a note from student health. For sports, light activity is often fine with a cold above the neck, but skip hard workouts if you have fever, body aches or a chest cough.

Common questions from students

How long is a cold contagious? Mostly the first few days, but you can spread it for up to about a week or longer.

Can I go to the gym with a cold? Light exercise is usually fine if your symptoms are above the neck. Skip it with a fever or chest symptoms.

Do I need a doctor's note for a cold? Some professors ask for one for a missed exam. Student health can provide it.

What is the fastest way to get over a cold? There is no cure. Rest, fluids and time help most.

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