Common cold · URI · Cough, congestion, sore throat
Common cold evaluation online — cough, congestion, and sore throat
Most colds don't need a prescription — but they do need someone to tell you which one this is. A licensed clinician sorts a plain cold from sinusitis, strep, flu, COVID, or bronchitis, prescribes when there's something to prescribe for, and gives you a plan that actually shortens the misery.
Board-certified clinicians · No membership required · Medicare, commercial insurance or $50 self-pay for the Ondoc visit
Antibiotics only when they help
A viral cold does not improve with antibiotics. We treat what's treatable — bacterial sinusitis, strep, or a secondary infection — and skip the prescription that just gives you diarrhea.
Prescription-strength relief
When over-the-counter isn't cutting it: prescription cough suppressants, steroid nasal sprays, inhalers for cough-variant asthma, and targeted symptom care.
Ruling out the bigger things
Colds and pneumonia, strep, flu, COVID, and RSV all start the same way. A clinician screens for red flags and orders testing when it will change what you do.
What you get
- Evaluation for cold and URI symptoms; see current available times
- Strep, flu, COVID, or RSV testing ordered when useful
- Prescriptions — antibiotics only for bacterial illness
- A symptom plan for cough, congestion, and sore throat
- Work or school note when needed
Missing work or school? Get a doctor's note for work or school from a licensed clinician online.
FAQs
How long does a cold last?
Typically 7–10 days, with a lingering cough that can last 2–3 weeks. Symptoms usually peak on days 2–3 and then slowly improve. Getting worse after day 7, or improving then relapsing, suggests a bacterial sinus infection or something else.
Do I need antibiotics for a cold?
No. Colds are viral and antibiotics do nothing for them. Antibiotics are appropriate for bacterial sinusitis (usually 10+ days of symptoms or worsening after improvement), strep throat, or pneumonia.
Is green mucus a sign I need antibiotics?
No — colored mucus is normal in viral colds and reflects your immune cells, not a bacterial infection. Duration and trajectory matter far more than color.
What actually helps a cold?
Hydration, rest, saline nasal rinses, honey for cough (not for infants under 1), acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches, and a short course of decongestant if your blood pressure allows. Zinc within 24 hours may modestly shorten it.
When is a cough worth a visit?
Cough with fever over 101°F, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, cough lasting more than 3 weeks, or cough in someone with asthma, COPD, or immunosuppression should be evaluated.
Cold, flu, COVID, or RSV — how do you tell?
Onset speed and fever are the biggest clues: flu and COVID come on fast with fever and body aches, a cold builds slowly and stays in the head. RSV skews toward wheezing and shortness of breath. When it matters clinically, we test.
Can I get a sick note for a cold?
Yes — if the clinician determines you should stay home, they can issue a dated work or school note through your visit.