Infections and fever
Fever & colds
For fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue and more
with a medical interpreter
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
OK to consult together
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About
About Fever & colds
We treat cold symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose and fatigue. Care focuses mainly on relieving uncomfortable symptoms.
Why it happens
Most colds are caused by viruses infecting the lining of the nose and throat. More than 200 types of virus, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses, are said to be responsible. Fever is one of the ways the body fights the virus, and a runny nose and cough are defensive responses that try to push out what has invaded. Most colds get better on their own within a few days to about 1 week, but a bacterial infection or another illness may sometimes be involved.
What's happening in the body
A cold starts when a virus attaches to and infects the lining of the nose or throat. As the virus multiplies inside those cells, the body causes inflammation to get rid of it. A runny or blocked nose is the body's way of washing the virus out and keeping more from getting in. A sore throat comes from the inflamed, swollen lining being irritated, and coughing is a reflex to clear secretions from the airways. Fever is also thought to be a response that raises body temperature to slow the virus and boost the immune system. In other words, many uncomfortable symptoms are also ways your body protects itself. That's why it's considered more important to keep up your strength, watch how things progress and not miss signs of getting worse than to suppress symptoms completely.
Main symptoms
- Fever or low-grade fever, chills
- Sore or irritated throat
- Runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing
- Cough and phlegm
- Headache
- Whole-body fatigue, aching joints
- Loss of appetite
- Hoarse voice
When you can wait and see
What you can do yourself
- Drink fluids often (you lose more through sweating and fever)
- Get enough sleep and rest your body
- Keep your throat and nose from drying out (humidify the air, gargle often)
- Eat easily digestible food as much as you can manage
- When the fever is uncomfortable, cool your neck and armpits
Please consult us
If any of the following apply
- You're struggling with fever or chills
- A sore throat, cough or runny nose won't go away
- You want advice before going to work or going out
Seek care right away
If any of the following apply
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or unable to lie down
- Not fully conscious, or having seizures
- A stiff neck that can't bend, with severe headache and vomiting
- Passing very little urine, or too weak to stand up
Don't wait for a Cotovia consultation; call the emergency number in your country.
See the emergency guide for each countryIf you're not sure, ask us on LINE
Differential
Telling it apart from similar conditions
Symptoms that look the same may need different care depending on the cause. Use this as a guide to find what's closest to your situation.
Common cold
Mild to moderate fever. Mainly runny nose and throat symptoms, with relatively mild whole-body fatigue
Mainly rest and fluids at home
Flu
A sudden high fever with severe joint and muscle aches and fatigue coming first
Within 48 hours of onset, you can ask about antiviral treatment options
Dengue
Possible mosquito bites, pain behind the eyes, rash, and severe joint and muscle pain
A blood test is needed. Seek care urgently if there is stomach pain or repeated vomiting
Bacterial throat infection
A very sore throat with little runny nose or cough, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck
After testing, we assess whether antibiotics are needed
Sinusitis
Colored nasal discharge and facial pain or pressure lasting 10 days or more after a cold
Please consult us if it goes on for a long time
* This is not a complete list. If you're not sure, please consult us.
When it might be something else
Course
Typical course
This is the general course. Actual progress varies from person to person.
- Days 1–2
It starts with a scratchy throat or sneezing, then a runny nose begins
Rest and drink fluids. Taking it easy helps you recover sooner
- Days 3–4
The runny nose, blocked nose and cough are at their worst
If things aren't getting worse at this point, most colds start to clear up on their own
- Days 5–7
Symptoms ease, and nasal discharge becomes thicker
Colored nasal discharge doesn't necessarily mean a bacterial infection
- Days 7–10
Most people are better. A cough may linger
Consult us if things are still getting worse after 10 days, or if you improve and then get a fever again
Local Insight
For people living in Southeast Asia
The climate, healthcare and access to medication differ from Japan. Here are points specific to this region.
In places that are hot all year, it's not changes of season but the sudden temperature difference between hot, humid outdoors and strongly air-conditioned indoors that can make you ill. Carrying 1 extra layer can help.
With a fever in tropical regions, mosquito-borne infections such as dengue, as well as typhoid and malaria, also need to be considered. In particular, a high fever with a rash, or a fever after traveling to another country or rural area, shouldn't be assumed to be a cold. Please consult us early.
Local pharmacies sell combination cold medicines with different ingredients, and choosing them the way you would in Japan can lead to taking the same ingredient twice. Take particular care if you're already on medication.
In the rainy season, high humidity encourages indoor mold and dust mites, so what seems like a cold sometimes turns out to be allergic rhinitis.
Care
What Cotovia can do
- Assessing your symptoms through a consultation
- Prescriptions for fever reducers, painkillers, cough suppressants and expectorants (prescribing is at the doctor's discretion)
- Advice on when to see a doctor and how to recover at home
Tests you may have
Not knowing what will happen can make people hesitate to seek care, so here's what actually takes place.
Consultation and examination
Reviewing how symptoms have developed, and checking the throat, nose and chest sounds
Rapid antigen test
Identifying flu, COVID-19 and similar infections
Blood test
Assessing the degree of inflammation and the possibility of other infections such as dengue
Treatment options
Symptom relief
Eases uncomfortable symptoms such as runny nose, cough and sore throat
There's no medicine that gets rid of cold viruses themselves, so the basic approach is to ease symptoms while you recover
Fever reducers and painkillers
Eases fever and pain
Until dengue has been ruled out, some fever reducers and painkillers that may increase bleeding should be avoided. Please ask us before taking anything on your own
Fluids and electrolytes
Prevents dehydration
In hot, humid conditions, fever leads to dehydration more easily
Antibiotics
Used when a bacterial infection develops as well
They don't work on colds caused by viruses. The doctor decides whether they're needed
* Tests, procedures and prescriptions are decided by the doctor after a consultation. Services may vary by country and location.
Preparation
Before your visit
When seeing a doctor abroad, simply organizing what you need to say makes a big difference.
What to bring
- Passport or residence card
- Insurance card and your insurer's contact details
- Your medication record and the medication you take (the actual items or photos)
- A record of your temperature
What to tell us
- When symptoms started, which ones and in what order
- How your temperature has changed and the highest reading
- Any mosquito bites, and where you've traveled in the past 2 weeks
- Whether anyone around you has the same symptoms
- Chronic conditions, allergies and possible pregnancy
Self Care
What you can do yourself
Along with seeing a doctor, here are things to keep in mind in daily life.
Prevention
- Wash your hands and keep them clean
- Stay healthy with enough sleep and good nutrition
- Wear a mask in crowds and keep your distance from people who are unwell
- Avoid getting too cold from air conditioning
How to Consult
How to be seen
Choose from 3 ways to be seen, depending on your symptoms and schedule. If you're not sure, we'll guide you on LINE.
Online consultations
See a doctor by video call from home or the office. Medication delivered or from a pharmacy.
Available for this symptom
In-person care
In-person consultations at our clinics and partner hospitals, including tests and procedures.
Available for this symptom
Cotovia Counter
Support with an interpreter for visits to general hospitals.
Available for this symptom
If an online consultation finds that tests or procedures are needed, we'll guide you to in-person care or Cotovia Counter.
From consultation to receiving medication
Add us on LINE and consult
Tell us your symptoms, and we'll recommend the right way to be seen.
Book and be seen
See a doctor online or at the nearest location, with an interpreter present.
Receive your medication
Have it delivered or pick it up at a pharmacy or the clinic (varies by country).
Follow-up
You can also consult us on LINE about how you're doing afterward.
Special Care
People who need extra care
Children
Seek care urgently if your child can't drink, hasn't passed urine for half a day or more, or is limp and slow to respond
Older adults
They may not develop a fever, and loss of appetite or low energy may be the only sign
Pregnant women
Some medications can't be used. Be sure to tell us if you could be pregnant
People with asthma or heart or lung conditions
A cold can make an existing condition worse. Please consult us early
FAQ
FAQ
Common questions before a visit, and common assumptions that lead people to judge for themselves.
QHow many days should I wait and see?
Common cold symptoms usually start to improve within a few days to about 1 week. However, if things are getting worse or a high fever continues, please consult us regardless of how many days it has been. Getting care abroad can be harder, so we recommend asking early.
QShould I take fever medicine?
A fever isn't necessarily bad in itself, but fever medicine may be considered if discomfort is stopping you from resting or drinking. Please ask a doctor whether to use it and which type.
QCan I use cold medicine I brought from Japan?
Depending on the ingredients, it may overlap with medication bought locally. If you have your medication record or photos of the actual medication, we can give more specific advice.
Common misconceptions
Myth Colored nasal discharge means you need antibiotics
Fact It's natural for nasal discharge to change color during a cold, and that alone isn't evidence of a bacterial infection
Myth Sweating it out cures a cold
Fact There's little evidence that sweating speeds recovery, and it may actually cause dehydration
Myth Antibiotics make a cold go away faster
Fact Most colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't work on them. Unnecessary use also leads to resistant bacteria
Myth Once the fever is gone, you're cured and can go back to work or school
Fact You may still be shedding the virus for a while after the fever goes, so be considerate of those around you
Myth You don't catch colds in hot countries
Fact There are factors specific to this region, such as the gap between strong air conditioning and outdoor heat, and humidity in the rainy season
Feel free to ask us on LINE first
It's fine to contact us even if you're not sure you need to see a doctor. We're available in Japanese 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Symptoms
- When it started
- Your country of residence
- How you'd like to be seen
Sending these 4 things helps us respond faster. It's fine if you don't have them all.
Ask us on LINE