Why doesn the SHC give prescriptions for colds?
Colds are self-limiting viral illnesses. You will probably have a lot of colds while at Rensselaer. We have an international panoply of viruses and when people sit in class together, eat together, sleep together, and spend lots of time coughing on each other, sharing pizza, and shaking hands, etc. the cold viruses spread quickly. There is no cure for a cold. Most will last 10 to 14 days. You can try over the counter medications like Advil or Sudafed for symptomatic relief. If you measure your temperature and it is over 100.4°F (38°C), call and make an appointment with the Student Health Center. If your symptoms persist, you have difficulty breathing (not just a stuffy nose) or other troublesome symptoms, make an appointment and come in to be examined. You can find additional information in the Health Center’s article on Careful Antibiotic Use. If you still have questions after reading it, feel free to call us.
