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Cough & Cold

Feeling Sick?

ChristianaCare's COUGH & COLD LINE is here to guide you on when you should seek care, and help you connect with pimary care or a virtual provider..  If you are 18 or older and don’t feel well, call 302-623-7400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Through a series of prompts, the ChristianaCare COUGH & COLD LINE will provide helpful info on how best to manage your cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms at home. 

Symptoms & Treatment

Symptoms from the common cold, flu and COVID can be very similar. These may include a runny nose, sore throat, bad cough, headache, shortness of breath, decreased appetite, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, loss of smell or taste, muscle or body aches, or chills and fever.

With flu, the fever is usually higher, 102-104 degrees. Symptoms are often worse and come on suddenly. In many cases, unless you are finding it hard to breathe, you can follow these simple home care steps:

  • Cough – use cough drops or take two teaspoons of honey 4 times a day. Children under 1 year of age should not be given honey.
  • Sore throat – use throat lozenges, hard candy or warm chicken broth or other fluids.
  • Nasal congestion – use normal saline nose drops and blow your nose.
  • Fever, muscle aches, headaches and other pains -- take Tylenol or Motrin as long as you have not been instructed by your provider to avoid these medications. Check with your provider or a pharmacist for correct dosage if you have questions.
  • Drink extra fluids.
  • Protect others --  It’s important to cover your mouth when coughing and wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or blowing your nose.

Seek care if your symptoms become worse, including if your:

  • If you have trouble breathing.
  • Fever lasts more than 3 days or is higher than 103
  • Runny nose lasts more than 10 days
  • Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
  • If you are age 65 or older, a young child, a pregnant woman, or have medical problems, you may benefit from anti-viral medications.

If you have additional questions, contact your primary care provider or visit an urgent care center.

Additionally, there are 16 ChristianaCare Go-Health Urgent Care Centers in your area for convenient, same-day care.