Common Cold Treatment Doctor in Bradenton, FL

At Manatee Primary Care, we frequently see patients concerned about symptoms of the common cold. The common cold is most often caused by viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most frequent culprit. Other viruses—including coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses—can produce similar symptoms.

These viruses spread easily, especially in close-contact settings like families, workplaces, and schools. Transmission occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets that others can inhale. You can also catch a cold by shaking hands with someone who has the virus or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
 
Once inside your body, the virus attaches to the lining of your nose or throat and begins to multiply. Your immune system responds, leading to the familiar symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, and sometimes a mild fever.

At Manatee Primary Care, we want to emphasize that environmental factors such as crowded places, seasonal changes, and weakened immune systems can increase your risk, but the common cold is always caused by a virus. Contrary to popular belief, simply being out in cold weather or getting wet does not cause a cold—exposure to the virus does.

Typically, a cold starts with a sore or scratchy throat, which may be followed by sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose. As the illness progresses, you might experience mild fatigue, a cough, and occasionally a mild headache. Some patients also report watery eyes, a low-grade fever, or a general feeling of being unwell.
 
These symptoms usually develop gradually and are milder compared to those of the flu. Most people recover from a cold within a week to ten days, although a cough or nasal congestion may linger for a bit longer.

At Manatee Primary Care, we are committed to keeping our community healthy year-round. Preventing the common cold involves a combination of good hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices—practices we encourage for all our patients.
 
Practice Good Hygiene: One of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of catching a cold is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after visiting public places, touching your face, or handling shared objects. When soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative.
 
Be mindful to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, as this is one of the easiest ways for cold viruses to enter your body.
 
Limit Germ Exposure: If someone around you is sick, try to maintain a reasonable distance, and avoid sharing personal items like utensils, towels, or phones. Regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched often, like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls—cold viruses can survive on these for several hours.
 
Support Your Immune System: A strong immune system is your best defense. Our providers at Manatee Primary Care recommend:

• Getting enough sleep each night
• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Staying physically active
• Managing stress
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
 
During cold and flu season, consider limiting time spent in crowded places.
 
Teach Healthy Habits at Home: If you have young children, teach them to wash their hands properly and to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Using disposable tissues and discarding them promptly can help reduce the spread of germs in your home.

The common cold is highly contagious and easily spreads from person to person, mainly through viruses such as rhinoviruses found in respiratory secretions.
 
When someone with a cold coughs, sneezes, or even talks, tiny droplets containing the virus are released into the air. These droplets can be inhaled by others nearby. The virus can also live on surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and countertops for several hours. If you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you can become infected.
 
People are most contagious during the first two to three days of symptoms, but they can spread the virus even before symptoms appear and for several days afterward.
 
Manatee Primary Care recommends these proven steps to help prevent the spread of the common cold:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces at home and work regularly.

When you’re feeling under the weather with a cold, you deserve care that is both compassionate and clinically sound. At Manatee Primary Care, Dr. Ariadnis Urquiza Milian, MD, is dedicated to providing comprehensive cold recovery solutions customized to your unique needs right here in our Bradenton community.
 
From your very first visit, Dr. Urquiza Milian takes the time to conduct a thorough assessment, carefully distinguishing between the common cold and other respiratory conditions such as flu and allergies. This attention to detail ensures you get the most effective treatment plan for your specific symptoms and health history.
 
Patient education is at the heart of our practice. Dr. Urquiza Milian takes the time to explain the viral nature of the common cold, helping you understand why antibiotics are not usually necessary unless there’s a clear sign of bacterial infection. For patients with higher risk—such as those with asthma, chronic illnesses, or weakened immune systems—she provides close monitoring and timely intervention if symptoms escalate.
 
Trust Manatee Primary Care for expert, compassionate cold care—right when you need it most. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 6302 Manatee Ave W, Suite D, Bradenton, FL 34209. We serve patients from Bradenton FL, Parrish FL, Bayshore Gardens FL, Memphis FL, South Bradenton FL, Palmetto FL, and surrounding areas.