Common Cold Treatment at Niles Primary Care Clinic in Bakersfield, CA

At Universal Primary Care, we know how uncomfortable sinus pressure from a cold can be. One simple home remedy we often recommend to our patients is using warm compresses. Placing a warm, moist washcloth over your nose, cheeks, and forehead can help increase blood flow to the area, which may loosen mucus, reduce inflammation, and ease sinus discomfort. The gentle heat also soothes irritated nasal tissues, providing temporary relief from congestion.

To try this remedy at home, use a clean washcloth soaked in warm (not hot) water and apply it to your face for several minutes at a time. You can repeat this as needed throughout the day. While warm compresses can help you feel better, it’s important to remember that they do not treat the underlying cause of your cold. If your symptoms last more than ten days, or if you experience severe pain, high fever, or vision changes, please contact Universal Primary Care to schedule an appointment. Our team is here to help ensure you get the care you need for lasting relief.

Yes, it is generally safe to travel with a common cold if your symptoms are mild. However, you should take precautions to protect both yourself and others. Air travel can worsen symptoms due to dry cabin air and pressure changes, which may lead to ear pain or sinus discomfort. Moreover, you’re in close proximity to other passengers, which increases the risk of spreading the virus—especially in the first few days of illness when you’re most contagious.

If you’re traveling by car or train, there’s more flexibility and less exposure to others, but hygiene remains crucial. Even a simple cold can be transmitted easily through coughs, sneezes, or touching surfaces. While you may feel well enough to travel, it’s important to be responsible.

Key precautions to follow:

● Wear a mask to reduce transmission.
● Wash hands or use sanitizer frequently.
● Avoid touching your face.
● Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
● Stay hydrated and rest during your journey.
● Carry basic medications like decongestants and tissues.

Do not travel if you have:

● A fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
● Shortness of breath
● Severe fatigue or body aches
● A weakened immune system

The common cold is caused by viruses—most often rhinoviruses—not by the weather itself. However, cold weather can indirectly affect how colds spread and how you feel while you’re sick. During colder months, people tend to gather indoors more frequently, which increases the chance of viruses spreading from person to person. Additionally, both outdoor cold and indoor heating can dry out the air, leading to dryness in your nasal passages and throat. This dryness may make it easier for viruses to infect your body.

If you’re already sick, research shows that simply being outside in the cold doesn’t make the viral infection worse. However, breathing in cold, dry air can irritate your airways, possibly making symptoms like a sore throat or cough more noticeable or uncomfortable. At Universal Primary Care, we recommend the following tips to help manage cold symptoms, especially during the winter months:

● Stay warm: Dress appropriately for the weather and avoid prolonged exposure to cold, dry air.
● Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your mucous membranes moist.
● Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with others who are sick.

Remember, while cold weather doesn’t directly worsen a cold, the conditions that come with it can influence how easily colds spread and how you feel during your illness. If you have concerns about your symptoms or need advice on managing a cold, our team at Universal Primary Care is here to help.

At Universal Primary Care, we understand that it can be difficult to tell the difference between a common cold and something more serious, like a sinus infection. Typically, a cold starts with symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild fatigue, with most people feeling better within a week.

However, if your symptoms persist longer than ten days, or if you start to feel worse after a brief period of improvement, you may be experiencing a sinus infection (sinusitis). Warning signs include:

● Congestion, facial pressure, or nasal discharge that does not improve or gets worse after ten days
● Thick, yellow or green mucus (though color alone isn’t always a clear sign)
● Facial pain or pressure—especially around the eyes, forehead, or cheeks—that worsens when you bend over
● Dental pain, reduced sense of smell, bad breath, or a lingering cough
● Fever, which is less common with a simple cold

If you’re noticing these symptoms, Universal Primary Care is here to help. Our experienced team can evaluate your symptoms, determine if you’re dealing with a sinus infection, and recommend the best treatment plan for you. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2121 Niles Street, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93305. We serve patients from Bakersfield CA, Maltha CA, Kayandee CA, Panama CA, Arvin CA, Fairfax CA, Rosedale CA, and surrounding areas.