Cold symptoms & treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions.

In most cases, doctors can come to a diagnosis for your cold online by asking about your symptoms.

If the doctor suspects you have a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics to help you treat that as well.

Doctors can also write sick notes for the cold in the case you need to be excused from work, school, or other situations.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or we’ll deliver it right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

A cold is an infection in your upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) and lungs that can leave you sneezing, coughing, and feeling generally run-down. It’s most common in children, but adults can still expect at least one cold per year.

Colds are the most frequently occurring illness around the world, and are the leading cause for doctor visits and missed days at work and school.

Colds are caused by over 200 different viruses, the most common being rhinovirus. Since there are so many viruses that cause colds, and because new ones are always developing, the body doesn't develop resistance, which is why this condition is so common.

Viruses are primarily caught through your mouth, eyes, or nose. They can spread through the air when others who have the cold sneeze or cough without covering their mouth, or via hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold.

Symptoms of a cold include:

• Congestion
• Cough
• Runny/stuffy nose
• Slight body aches/pain
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Sneezing
• Fever

To prevent getting a cold:

• Disinfect surfaces and items you touch often
• Use tissues when your sneeze, cough, or blow your nose
• Reduce contact with others who have the cold
• Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer when you don’t have immediate access to soap or water

There are no direct antibiotics or anitvirals to treat colds, but there are ways you can relieve your discomfort:

• Drinking plenty of clear fluids
• Keeping your room warm
• Resting
• Taking pain relievers for fever, sore throat,and headache
• Using decongestants or nasal sprays to relieve congestion

Antibiotics can become necessary if you develop a secondary bacterial infection in the lungs, throat, ears, and eyes, which colds sometimes lead to.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.