# Would you go to see a doctor for a case of the common cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 6, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006 "2013-04-06T11:12:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/61 "2013-04-09T02:06:34Z")
OTC cough suppressants work just fine for me. ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/62 "2013-04-09T04:28:10Z")
Other: Only to get a medical certificate. The only time I went to a doctor because of a cold was last year, when I was on clinical rotation at a nursing home. Although it’s trivial for me, a cold spreading through that community would be dangerous for many of the clients and a world of hassle for the staff. It would have been irresponsible of me to go in when I was coughing and dripping germs everywhere, but attending was a pass/fail component of the class. So I went to the doctor, she confirmed that I was sick and signed a letter stating as much for me to give to my preceptor. Kind of a waste of time, but whatcha gonna do. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/63 "2013-04-09T13:27:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > C’mon people, when you get a common cold, the place for you is not a doctor’s office but your local emergency room, where your sniffling and sneezing take precedence over trauma victims and heart attack patients.The latest Cochrane Review evaluating clinical trials on this subject indicates that while there may be limited benefit in certain populations relating to reduced length of colds\* and less severe symptoms (and even these benefits are contradicted by therapeutic trials), the bottom line is that if you take high-dose C to prevent colds, [you’re wasting your money.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440782) > > _“The failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the general population indicates that routine vitamin C supplementation is not justified”_ > > \*average reduction of the length of colds over some trials was a whopping 8%. So if your colds normally last 7 days, they might only last 6 1/2 days if you chug down enough vitamin C. And even that benefit is debatable. I don’t give a rat’s bottom about that study. You must have missed the part of my reply where I said that I HAVEN’T HAD a cold while taking vit C, except when I DIDN’T take it. Zero colds while on vit C, ONE cold when I stopped taking it, and NONE since I started taking it again. Geddit- NO COLDS while taking vit C ( and no flue either- never taken a flue shot ). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/64 "2013-04-09T13:35:35Z")
Well, I just did. But here’s the sit – Out of work for 3.5 days (that’s a real bad cold for me). Came back to work on Monday and still felt lousy (sick now for 6 days). Now my Dr. works in the building, and it cost me nothing out of pocket. So I took a few minutes and saw them. No, they could not do anything. But there have been times when I’ve been prescribed something if I’m having complications. And it’s good to know that I’m not getting pneumonia. Part of the reason was just a good faith gesture to my boss and co-workers, that yes I am trying to get better. See, we all go to this same clinic/Dr. and they know how easy it is to just bop down the hall and see them. Total time I was out of my office was maybe 20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/65 "2013-04-09T14:50:56Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > I don’t give a rat’s bottom about that study. > You must have missed the part of my reply where I said that I HAVEN’T HAD a cold while taking vit C, except when I DIDN’T take it. I am utterly sold on the basis of your anonymous Internet testimonial, which furnishes proof that no scientific study could ever hope to provide. > [@](#): > > and no flue either Well, there’s no need to vent. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/66 "2013-04-10T03:45:11Z")
Australia. No cost to me to visit the doctor but there’s no way I’d waste my time or the doctor’s with a cold. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/67 "2013-04-10T09:10:45Z")
I used to would go, as I depended on the doctor to diagnose that it was just a cold. But when it became, um, inconvenient to go, I stopped doing that, only going if I had a specific complication: fever. And, no, it doesn’t cost me anything. EDIT: And, like someone above, I would also go to get a doctor’s excuse for any illness that kept me out of school/work. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/68 "2013-04-10T09:18:51Z")
I can think of one reason to go to the doctor for a cold that I haven’t seen from any of you: according to my family, it’s the only way to get pseudoephedrine now that it’s behind the counter. I don’t know, because I refuse to use oral decongestants. I use my neti pot early on and nasal sprays if I need more. So far, this has worked as well as the other stuff, without the heart-racing jittery side effects. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/69 "2013-04-10T09:49:40Z")
At least three things I wanted to tick in that poll: I’d feel embarrassed, I don’t think a doctor can help but I would go if there were complications. As suggested, if there are complications that implies that you either have a severe case of flu, or some other infection with “flu-like symptoms”. Either of which justifies a doctor visit. (Or I guess, you may just have a common cold, but you’re immunocompromised. Well, that’s sufficient reason to go to the doctor too). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/70 "2013-04-10T09:53:53Z")
Posters in every public healthcare center tell us that if it lasts more than 10 days we’re supposed to go, as that means it’s not a “common” cold any more. Less than that no. For someone in very bad physical condition I might take them to the doctor or call the doctor sooner than that, depending on standing instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/71 "2013-04-10T13:50:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I can think of one reason to go to the doctor for a cold that I haven’t seen from any of you: according to my family, it’s the only way to get pseudoephedrine now that it’s behind the counter. The reason no one’s said that is because it isn’t true. You have to sign for it and show ID. That’s all. You do not need a prescription. If anyone’s asked you to buy them sudafed because “they can’t afford the doctor” they are probably cooking meth. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/72 "2013-04-11T22:44:11Z")
Complications / death’s door: I have asthma, and sometimes a respiratory infection can cause an asthma flare (needing oral steroids) and/or a secondary infection (needing antibiotics). ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/73 "2013-04-11T22:48:57Z")
Of course! Where else can you get a whole case? ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/74 "2013-04-12T02:35:29Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > As suggested, if there are complications that implies that you either have a severe case of flu, or some other infection with “flu-like symptoms”. Either of which justifies a doctor visit. > (Or I guess, you may just have a common cold, but you’re immunocompromised. Well, that’s sufficient reason to go to the doctor too). I’ve had a chest infection secondary to a cold. I did go to the doctor eventually but that was for the chest infection. Anyone (apart from those you mentioned who are immunocompromised) who goes to the doctor for a cold is wasting everyeone’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/75 "2013-04-12T12:32:00Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I’ve had a chest infection secondary to a cold. I did go to the doctor eventually but that was for the chest infection. Anyone (apart from those you mentioned who are immunocompromised) who goes to the doctor for a cold is wasting everyeone’s time. Concur. The doctor can’t do a damn thing about the cold. The doctor _can_ do something about the effects of the cold in someone who has such issues. OK, if you’re prone to developing secondary infections / asthma flares / other health issues, then a _preventive_ trip (to get on steroids, have ready a scrip for abx, whatever) might be in order.to nip those sequelae in the bud. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/76 "2013-04-12T12:50:34Z")
Really, all the answers apply except the first (and, as I am now in the UK where doctor visits are free, the third). I don’t think they could do anything and I would be embarrassed to go for such a trivial complaint, but perhaps I would go if there were serious complications (but that is not really going for the cold at all). Perhaps the main reason why I would not go is simply that (knowing that it is pointless) I can’t be arsed. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/77 "2013-04-12T13:04:34Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > In Australia, no I wouldn’t. > > It would cost me to attend my GP, but that’s not the reason. Why does it cost you anything? I don’t think I have ever paid to see my GP except for once when I needed a fixed appointment time. Otherwise, the 100+ visits I have made to 4 GPs in the last 40 years have cost me, at most, a signature. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006/78 "2013-04-12T13:56:16Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > The reason no one’s said that is because it isn’t true. You have to sign for it and show ID. That’s all. You do not need a prescription. > > If anyone’s asked you to buy them sudafed because “they can’t afford the doctor” they are probably cooking meth. While that is true in most states - it is not true in all. Wikipedia suggests both Oregon and Mississippi require prescriptions - and BigT supposedly lives in Arkansas which has some extra requirements like the pharmacist must make a determination of need (which I could see some refusing to do without a doctor or some crap)… > **[New Arkansas PSE Law Limits OTC Sales to Arkansas Residents and Imposes New...](https://www.thefdalawblog.com/2011/04/new-arkansas-pse-law-limits-otc-sales-to-arkansas-residents-and-imposes-new-duties-on-pharmacists/)** > > By John A. Gilbert & Peter M. Jaensch – Following what appears to have been the stall of the Arkansas prescription-only Pseudoephedrine bill (House Bill 1444) in mid-March, on March 23, 2… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-go-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-case-of-the-common-cold/655006.md?page=3)